Alan's Journey - Emergency Care Practitioner

Alan Gaythorpe is one of our emergency care practitioners. He has been with the Trust for 45 years.

I was working as a porter in Harwich hospital in 1978, when I started talking to someone who worked at Harwich ambulance station and that was when I decided to join the ambulance service. Back then, it was called Essex ambulance service and I started as what was then called a driver attendant.

In 1984 I was selected to undergo extended training, which meant being involved in the development of the service. I underwent the original paramedic training in 1988 and I was the fifth qualified paramedic in Essex, something I am very proud of. I worked as a paramedic all over north Essex and then Suffolk and in 2005 went to university to train to become an emergency care practitioner (ECP). I wanted to become an ECP so I could provide better treatment to patients within their own home, without the need for admission. Again, I was one of the first to qualify in this role.

In 2016, I moved back to north Essex but having injured my back, I had to move into emergency clinicaladvice and triage (ECAT), as I am no longer able to work on the road. I enjoy my role as I am still able to assist patients, just remotely as opposed to in person, but I still get the feeling of satisfaction by helping people.

There were many challenges and opposition to the extended training of ambulance staff from different parts of the health service when I first qualified. However, with perseverance we overcame them, and we are where we are now.

If youre thinking of starting your career with EEAST, make sure to absorb all the knowledge you can and appreciate the privileged position youre in. Every day is different with different challenges, but it is the best job in the world.