Andy Swinburn – QAM, FCPara

Director of Paramedicine

WAST

Andy joined the then Lancashire Ambulance Service in 1991 as a part-time Patient Transport Service Ambulance Person. Progressing his career to Emergency Medical Technician, Paramedic, Leading Ambulance Paramedic and Operational Trainer, before moving into a substantive Education and Training Manager role in 2002. It was during this year that he graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University with a BA (Hons) in Practitioner Leadership.

Following the formation of the Northwest Ambulance Service in 2006, Andy was successful in obtaining a role as Professional Development Manager, leading the development of a region-wide clinical leadership structure including the roles of Senior, Advanced and Consultant Paramedic roles. During this period he obtained his MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice from the University of Bolton.

Following a period as Northwest England representative at the Governing Council of the College of Paramedics, Andy was awarded a Fellowship of the College as recognition for his services to the profession.

In 2013, Andy moved to the East Midlands Ambulance Service as a Consultant Paramedic until moving to the Welsh Ambulance Service in May 2017 as Assistant Director of Paramedicine before taking up his current role of Director of Paramedicine in December 2021. In the 2021 Queens Birthday Honours, Andy was awarded the Queens Ambulance Medal for his work with the UK’s ambulance services.

Andy has a specific interest in developing aspirational roles within the profession which allow for organisations to improve patient care through service redesign, inspire clinicians to develop and ensure diversity within a registrant’s careers.