Yorkshire-based Patient Transport Service manager wins national award for outstanding contribution  

Yorkshire Ambulance Service Senior Logistics Manager Ann-Marie Kelly has received a prestigious national award in recognition of her outstanding contribution and commitment to the non-emergency Patient Transport Service (PTS) and her positive impact on local patients.

The award was presented at the Ambulance Leadership Forum (ALF), a national ambulance sector event organised by the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE), which was held in Wales on 2 and 3 October 2023.

Chris Dexter, Managing Director of PTS at Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust (YAS), said: “Ann-Marie has made a valuable contribution in all roles she has fulfilled at the Trust; she’s an exemplar employee of PTS and YAS.

“Her cheery and approachable disposition, and a built-in ability to communicate well, have a positive impact on patients, colleagues, and hospital staff, often in challenging situations. Patients receiving treatments and renal clinic colleagues across the region know her name and face, consistently feeding back about improvements to the services and the re-assurance that Ann-Marie provides. I recall one renal unit member of staff describing her as ‘an angel’. 

“She can be relied upon to do what she commits to, and always has done in a variety of roles from frontline control room to lead manager in PTS today, resulting in positive outcomes for her dynamic and agile 24/7 control room and planning team.”

Anna Parry, Managing Director of AACE, said: “The AACE outstanding service awards give ambulance trusts the opportunity to pay tribute to one member of staff from each of our seventeen member services who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to their work during the past year.

“Whether they are frontline clinicians, control centre operatives, volunteers or working in support teams, this year’s recipients have really done themselves, their patients and their colleagues proud, with each person highly deserving of this recognition by their peers.”

Established in 2006 and hosted by the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE), the Ambulance Leadership Forum (ALF) is the only annual event designed specifically for senior leaders across the UK ambulance sector. The conference and showcasing event brings together board members, managers, NHS system leaders, politicians, academics, and health and social care partners with key suppliers who have a direct interest in improving the UK ambulance sector.