All parts of the UK public ambulance sector joined forces to pay their sincere respects and offer condolences to the Royal Family following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on 8th September 2022.
The State Funeral of Her Majesty at Westminster Abbey on 19th September was attended by senior ambulance service representatives from all four constituent countries of the United Kingdom.
(PHOTO: Paul Bassett QAM, Chief Operating Officer & Deputy Chief Executive, Scottish Ambulance Service, Jason Killens, Chief Executive Officer, Welsh Ambulance Service, Daren Mochrie QAM, Chief Executive Officer of North West Ambulance Service and Chair of AACE and Michael Bloomfield, Chief Executive Officer, Northern Ireland Ambulance Service outside Westminster Abbey).
Flags were flown at half-mast across ambulance buildings throughout the UK, and staff and volunteers signed books of condolence and remembrance in honour of Queen Elizabeth II and the enormous legacy she left behind.
(PHOTO: Flag flown at half-mast at Hinckley Ambulance Station, East Midlands. Credit: Liam Hall/EMAS).
As an additional mark of respect, many non-urgent ambulance sector meetings and events were postponed until the formal period of mourning had ended.
A broad range of Proclamation events to the new King – King Charles III – took place across the country and were attended by ambulance staff and volunteers from all individual ambulance services.
AACE Chair Daren Mochrie QAM said:
As an organisation representing the committed ambulance staff and volunteers who are so proud to wear the Crown Badge as part of their uniform, the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives conveyed its sincere condolences to the Royal Family at a time of great sadness.
“Throughout her 70-year reign Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II led by example, showing commitment and dedication to her people in such a multitude of ways, and along the way, proving to be an inspiration to so many. We will now afford her son and successor King Charles III the same respect we reserved for our Queen.
(PHOTO: Programme from The State Funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Monday 19th September 2022).
Managing Director of the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives Martin Flaherty OBE, QAM added:
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was a stalwart supporter of the NHS and wider emergency services and a number of ambulance staff were lucky enough to meet her when they had the honour and privilege of receiving the Queen’s Ambulance Service Medal.
“It was a privelige to see the whole ambulance family join forces with the rest of the country, and with people from all over the world, to mourn her death in so many appropriate and respectful ways.
(PHOTO: NWAS Head of Regional Planning Graham Lovatt at the Manchester Proclamation event to the right behind Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham. Credit: NWAS)
(PHOTO: WMAS staff attend a proclamation event in Walsall, West Midlands. Credit: WMAS).
(PHOTO: Floral tribute at WMAS. Credit: WMAS)
