Celebrating International Women’s Day – 8 March 2025
Thirty-five years ago, Kate Chivers started out on a journey which helped to change the future of Pre-hospital Emergency Medicine (PHEM) in the UK forever. Today, the air ambulance charity she founded is still powered by many other remarkable women who are helping to save lives every day.
This International Women’s Day (8 March) we’re celebrating Kate and the dedication, resilience, and impact of the extraordinary women who have followed in her footsteps at the heart of our lifesaving service – from frontline doctors and paramedics to dispatchers, fundraisers, and leaders driving change behind the scenes.
It was Kate’s vision and determination that led to the establishment of an air ambulance charity for the people of Kent in 1989 – only the third air ambulance charity in the country at that time. Under Kate’s leadership our charity later expanded to cover the counties of Surrey and Sussex.
Over the past 35 years, the charity Kate began has evolved to become a world-leading Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) and we are one of the largest and busiest air ambulance charities in the UK.
We’ve carried out more than 46,000 missions to people across the region who have suddenly become seriously injured or ill, saving thousands of lives and keeping countless families together.
Kate says: “I’m delighted that so many women still play an important part in the work of KSS today; from specialist doctors and highly skilled paramedics to dispatchers, operational support staff, Trustees, fundraisers, marketers to finance experts. Amazing women who help deliver a lifesaving service for Kent, Surrey, and Sussex, when every second counts for survival.
“At the time I founded the charity, I was working in a world dominated by men, but I never gave a thought to the fact that I was a woman, as I believed in equality. People talk about the ‘glass ceiling’, but a woman can achieve as much as a man. There is no such thing as a ‘glass ceiling’ or there shouldn’t be.”
Women play a vital role across all parts of Team KSS, ensuring we can continue to save lives and improve patient outcomes 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Doctor Fionna Moore, our Senior Medical Advisor, has dedicated over 50 years to emergency medicine and remains actively involved in frontline care, still taking to the skies to fly on KSS lifesaving missions.
Reflecting on the challenges women have historically faced when entering medicine, Fionna says: “When I was at school and said I wanted to go to medical school, people would always ask if I wanted to be a nurse, not a doctor. I think nurses do a fantastic job, but I wanted to be in a position to treat patients and understand the diseases they were suffering from.”
KSS Doctor, Sophie Mitchinson, says: “I’m so proud to be one of many female doctors here at KSS, fighting together to save lives when every second counts. Last year, I was part of the project team behind KSS delivering an insightful and influential symposium titled Optimising Inclusivity in Pre-Hospital Emergency Medicine, addressing barriers faced by women in the sector.
“I’m deeply committed to doing all I can to make working in PHEM as accessible as possible for women, and to celebrate the vital difference women, make particularly in the clinical field, to help inspire a new generation of female doctors and paramedics.”
KSS Paramedic Lara Hammond echoes this, recognising that having more women in leadership positions strengthens the profession.
“Having a more diverse HEMS workforce is so important to develop the profession going forwards, keep it innovative and keep it at the leading edge of medicine. This in turn allows HEMS systems to be at the forefront of innovative, reflective and creative patient care.”
Lynsey Grant, KSS Paramedic and Prevention Lead, sums up the feelings of many women working for KSS.
Lynsey says: “I’m one of the newest female members of Team KSS and my journey so far has been met with such positivity and enthusiasm. I’m so proud to join a charity with such inspiring women and individuals who are so full of passion, care and commitment to our communities.”
Tabitha Cook is one of our dedicated team of dispatchers who ensure our crews are sent to the patients who need our specialist lifesaving care most.
Tabitha says: “My role as a dispatcher can sometimes be challenging, but I know that our work makes such a difference to those experiencing a medical emergency within our region. Working with so many inspiring women here and across South East Coast Ambulance Service is amazing and something I’m really thankful for.”
KSS Trustees, such as Evelyn Styles, are key in overseeing our work.
Says Evelyn: “KSS is an incredible organisation, strengthened by its rich and diverse workforce. I’m proud to serve as a female Trustee on the KSS Board of Trustees and to celebrate the social, economic and cultural achievements of all women both at KSS and across the globe. But there’s more we can do to accelerate action for gender equality.”
Victoria Friar, our Head of Supporter Services, highlights the role women play in fundraising and beyond:
“Fundraising isn’t just about donations; it’s about empowering communities. Women play a huge role in driving change, and I see it every day at KSS.”
Jenny Cooper, Head of HR Management, Culture and Learning comments:
“International Women’s Day is a great opportunity to celebrate all of the amazing women in Team KSS striving every day to save lives and ensure the best possible outcomes for our patients. It’s also a chance to remind ourselves of the importance of diversity in the workplace. Diversity comes in many different forms – things you can see as well as things you cannot. It’s important to remember we are unique, and an inclusive workplace is something I’m deeply committed to. The more diverse we are, the better we represent the people that we care and advocate for.”
From specialist dispatchers to pilots, paramedics, doctors, fundraisers, and operational leaders, the women of KSS are at the forefront of delivering world-leading pre-hospital emergency care to the people of Kent, Surrey and Sussex when it matters most. But their impact also goes beyond the borders of Kent, Surrey and Sussex – they have helped to relentlessly research, develop and innovate improvement in patient care around the UK and across the world.
