Excellence award for Paramedic driving improvements in end-of-life care

Megan Kelly, an Advanced Paramedic in Urgent Care based in Weeley who works across Suffolk and north east Essex, was named winner of the Excellence in Patient Care category at the East of England Ambulance Service's (EEAST) Stars of EEAST Awards.

The awards, which celebrate the achievements of ambulance staff and volunteers from across the region, were held in Peterborough on 10 September.

Megan's advanced training and specialist clinical skills enable her to provide high-quality care to patients nearing the end of their lives, often allowing them to remain in the comfort of their own homes rather than being admitted to hospital.

Colleagues who nominated her praised the compassion, professionalism and reassurance she provides to patients and families during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.

One of Megan's most significant achievements has been helping to improve EEAST's guidance for caring for children receiving end-of-life care.

After attending a child being cared for at home, she recognised an opportunity to strengthen support for clinicians and families and took the initiative to develop enhanced guidance for colleagues across the Trust.

The revised guidance is helping ensure that, where appropriate and in line with the wishes of the child and their family, more children can remain at home while receiving end-of-life care.

To support this work, Megan spent time at The Treehouse, part of East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH) in Ipswich, ensuring the updated guidance reflected best practice and the needs of children and their families.

In addition to her frontline role, Megan is a trusted source of advice for colleagues across the ambulance service. She supports ambulance crews in developing confidence when caring for patients at the end of life and delivers training to help share knowledge and best practice.

Megan is also part of the team leading the rollout of the Gold Standards Framework (GSF) across EEAST. The nationally recognised programme helps healthcare professionals identify patients who may be in the last year of life and supports the delivery of personalised, compassionate care that respects their wishes and preferences.

Megan Kelly said:

"I am incredibly honoured to receive this award.

"Improving care for patients at the end of their lives is something I am deeply passionate about. Every patient deserves compassionate, high-quality care that respects their wishes and helps them remain where they feel most comfortable, whether that's at home or elsewhere. Being able to support patients and their families at such an important time is a privilege.

"This award is not just a reflection of my work. It recognises the support, dedication and commitment of so many colleagues across the Advanced Practice in Urgent Care team, our operational crews and the Emergency Operations Centre.

"We all share the same goal of providing the very best care for our patients, and I am proud to work alongside such passionate and talented people every day."

Neill Moloney, Chief Executive of EEAST said:

“Megan's commitment to improving end-of-life care is making a real difference to patients, families and colleagues across our region.

“Her compassion, clinical expertise and determination to continually improve services embody the very best of EEAST, and this award is thoroughly deserved.”