On July 8, the College of Paramedics, the professional body for paramedics and the ambulance profession in the UK will join forces with over 40 global paramedic associations, higher education institutions and affiliated organisations to launch the first ever International Paramedics Day.
It will be a day to remember and salute the personal sacrifices and life-saving efforts made by paramedics and first responders during the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic, as well as recognising all that they do to give their patients the best possible treatment and care, particularly those currently working in the UK ambulance sector amid unprecedented demand.
The theme for the inaugural International Paramedics Day is ‘Proud to be a Paramedic' which we believe will resonate widely with students, paramedics and first responders around the world, regardless of which area of paramedicine they are working in.
Tracy Nicholls, Chief Executive of the College of Paramedics, said: “Never has the impact and contribution of paramedics to high quality, person-centred care been more evident than during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“By coming together, championing the profession and sharing stories and images of the work paramedics do, it is our hope that International Paramedics Day will indeed become a prominent, global event that acknowledges and celebrates our profession’s achievements.
"We would like to invite students, paramedics, their professional bodies, ambulance trusts and others to join us in supporting International Paramedics Day, reflecting on their work and the people they have helped, and sharing their thoughts on why they feel proud to be a paramedic.”
International Paramedics Day will be celebrated every year on July 8 because this marks the anniversary of the birth of Dominique Jean Larrey, the French military doctor who became Napoleon Bonaparte’s chief surgeon of the Grand Armee and the man often referred to as the 'father of modern-day ambulance services.'