The retirement of one of the region’s longest-serving paramedics has been marked by a special presentation from our CEO David Welch and our founder, Kate Chivers, at Tunbridge Wells Hospital. There was also a surprise visit from one our helicopters.
Penny Scrimgeour, who is retiring from The South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust after 37 years, was part of the first air ambulance crew to fly out of our base at Rochester in November 1989.
David Welch commented: “Over the last 37 years Penny has given so much to her patients and her community. Without people like her, KSS would not be the world-leading organisation it is today. She played an important part in the charity at a crucial time in our history, and I am delighted to be here today to acknowledge that.”
As well as paving the way for women who wanted to work as paramedics, Penny was a pioneer in our Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS).
David Welch and Kate Chivers presented Penny Scrimgeour with flowers and a certificate acknowledging her contribution to HEMS generally and KSS in particular. They were joined by our Paramedic Allan McHenry and Dr Jonathan Leung who made a brief visit on board one of our AW169 helicopters.
