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Father and son follow same course and career path

Father and son Terry and Anthony Doherty will be sharing their success when they graduate from º£½ÇÖ±²¥.

The pair, who both studied a foundation degree in paramedic science, went on to achieve First Class BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science Top-Up degrees. Terry, 68, of Long Eaton, near Nottingham and Derby, is a full-time paramedic tutor with the East Midlands Ambulance Service.

He said: 'I believe that higher education is the way forward and allows paramedics to advance further and gives those who wish to specialise greater opportunities.

'When I started working as an ambulance driver 40 years ago, I was out on the road from day one and didn’t even have a first aid certificate, whereas the skills and knowledge required now, before even going near an ambulance, are light years away.

'Undoubtedly the emphasis on enhanced education is a change for the better.'

He added: 'Previously the opportunity to obtain a paramedic degree was not available, therefore having the opportunity to gain a foundation and BSc has been something really satisfying as my career draws to a close. 'I have enjoyed studying as a mature student – it keeps my mind active and age isn’t a barrier. I believe the more mature you are the more you have to bring to a course. Being a distance learner didn’t cause any difficulties, as communication with the lecturers was exceptional.'

Anthony, 32, of Long Eaton, is a team leader in Derby for East Midlands Ambulance Service and is now progressing to postgraduate study.

He said: 'I saw the course as an opportunity to enhance my qualifications. I’d seen it online and phoned the tutor who was very enthusiastic and quick to come back with answers. I found a lot of transfer between what we studied and my role as a paramedic.

'I studied a trauma management module and I can now apply the additional knowledge gained from this in the care of the traumatically injured patients I see. We also did a module on service improvement and this gives me a better understanding of how and why changes are implemented within the NHS.'

He added: 'It always makes me proud studying with Dad, because he doesn’t have to do this, he does it because he loves it and that’s infectious. When I look at my fellow students it’s great to know that everyone has volunteered for this – to know all these paramedics have chosen to be here and are willing to learn.'

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