EMT awarded for transforming palliative care

EEAST's chief executive, Neill Moloney (right), called Deenah Elswaf (centre) an "inspiring clinician" and a valuable asset to the service

A senior emergency medical technician has been recognised for her efforts to improve palliative and end-of-life care.

Deenah Elswaf, who is based in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, won the Excellence in Patient Care award at the East of England Ambulance Service (EEAST's) awards.

After a personal bereavement where she saw substandard care and its impact, Ms Elswaf developed a comprehensive training programme for frontline ambulance clinicians.

EEAST's chief executive, Neill Moloney, called her an "inspiring clinician" and a valuable asset to the service.

Ms Elswaf was nominated by colleagues for her dedication, compassion, and commitment to improving the quality of care for patients receiving palliative care.

In her own time, she developed a training programme for ambulance staff covering topics such as managing palliative emergencies, breaking bad news, and accessing hospice support.

The programme has been adopted across the trust.

Currently training to become a paramedic, Ms Elswaf said better education around end-of-life care helps both patients and clinicians.

"I appreciated being part of the awards, and am very thankful to my colleagues in Huntingdon, and my managers for the support – none of this would have been achieved without them," she said.

"End of life care touches all our lives at some point, and it is a big struggle for our staff both personally and professionally.

"Acknowledging we are only human is the first step in removing the stigmas surrounding death. I believe providing better training in this subject not only aids palliative patients but allows us to understand and support each other in very difficult situations."

Mr Moloney added she was an "incredibly deserving winner".

"She is an inspiring clinician who exemplifies what it means to go above and beyond in patient care.

"Her work is already making a lasting difference, and she is an asset to the ambulance service and her community," he said.