A Welsh Ambulance Service paramedic who became the first woman in Wales to reach the rank of Consultant Paramedic has been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours.
Paula Jeffery, 56, who lives near Tenby with her husband Rob (QAM), has been awarded the King’s Ambulance Service Medal for distinguished service.
Her career has spanned nearly four decades — and began a long way from the ambulance service.
Mrs Jeffery started out 37 years ago in the Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps, qualifying as a nurse and working in emergency and minor injury departments before joining the non-emergency patient transport service.
Her rise through the Welsh Ambulance Service began with a modest 16-hour-a-week contract on the patient transport service.
From there she became an instructor at the National Ambulance Training College, before progressing through the urgent care service, emergency medical technician, paramedic and advanced prescribing roles.
She was then appointed the first female Consultant Paramedic in Wales.
Along the way, Mrs Jeffery established the first versions of advanced practice models in primary care, secondary care and GP out-of-hours services.
She also led the Welsh Ambulance Service to become the first UK ambulance service to introduce independent prescribing — work that now underpins the national framework for advanced paramedic practice across Wales.
Colleagues credit her leadership with transforming clinical practice, including the introduction of Penthrox pain relief for staff and volunteers to treat injured patients in the community, and the creation of a Clinical Navigator Team to speed up emergency responses.
Mrs Jeffery said she had been stunned by the award.
“Anyone who knows me will tell you that I am never speechless, but on this occasion, I was genuinely lost for words,” she said.
“It is such a tremendous honour, and I really do feel privileged to have been nominated by colleagues. I work with incredible teams in WAST, and knowing that someone took the time to make an application on my behalf makes me feel very proud.”
Emma Wood, chief executive of the Welsh Ambulance Service, said the trust was immensely proud.
“Over nearly four decades of dedicated service, Paula has exemplified outstanding leadership,” she said. “She has consistently inspired those around her with her passion, pioneering spirit and dedication, striving to deliver exceptional care for the people of Wales.”
Greg Lloyd, the trust’s assistant director of clinical delivery, said Mrs Jeffery’s legacy was one of “innovation, excellence, and lasting impact”, praising her trailblazing contributions and transformative leadership.
Mrs Jeffery is among more than a dozen people from across Swansea Bay and Carmarthenshire — and the wider region — recognised in this year’s honours, with the full local list in our round-up.
