Paramedic who started career in Bradford joins air ambulance

YAA has added five new highly-skilled paramedics - who are on a three-year secondment from Yorkshire Ambulance Service - to its team.

The expansion of the YAA crew comes just nine months after the introduction of eight Technical Crew Members (TCM) in March 2023.

The TCMs play a vital role in ensuring the aircraft's maintenance and operational readiness, including daily engine flushes and essential pre-flight checks. Additionally, they perform a crucial navigator role during flight, sitting alongside the pilot.

Also joining the operational team is Phil Larkins, a former military pilot with nearly four decades of flying experience.

Highly-skilled paramedics joining the team 

Paul Holmes, operations manager at YAA said: "We are delighted to welcome these highly-skilled paramedics to our YAA family.

“Their expertise and experience will undoubtedly enhance our ability to provide critical care to those in need across Yorkshire. I look forward to seeing the positive impact they will all have on our life-saving operations."

Owen McTeggart, chief pilot at YAA added: "The addition of an experienced pilot such as Phil to our team significantly enhances our capacity to provide swift and effective critical care, ensuring the seamless and safe transportation of our team of doctors and paramedics across the region, allowing us to deliver the best possible pre-hospital care."

Meet the recruits 

 Max Mcquillan is among the new additions to the YAA team.

He began his career at Bradford Ambulance Station and later joined the hazardous area response team.

Max, who resides in Otley with his one-eyed cat, is driven by a passion for providing care to the most critically-ill patients.

Joining him is Tom Chatwyn, from Wharfedale. He has had an extensive career in the field of paramedicine, which began in the early 2000s when he joined the London Ambulance Service.

Tom said: "After dedicating five years to the education of new paramedics, I was thrilled to be offered the opportunity to return to the frontline and provide high-quality critical care to the people of Yorkshire.

“This experience promises to be a journey of acquiring new skills and knowledge, and I am excited about the challenges it will bring."

Huddersfield-based Stewart Ashburner-Mcmanus said joining YAA was the “logical step” in pursuing his critical care ambitions.

He said he is also looking forward to supporting the fundraising teams and raising awareness of their vital work.

Chris Gibbins, from Hull, also makes up the new team along with Leanne Davis, from Rotherham.