Island’s Lifesavers Saluted for Unmatched Covid Support
A heartfelt presentation was held to thank St. John Ambulance, Hovertravel, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service, and Military partners for their tireless support during the Covid crisis.
Island Community Pulls Together in Crisis
Joe Smyth, Chief Operating Officer of the Isle of Wight NHS Trust, praised the immediate response. He said, “The Ambulance service called out, ‘we need help,’ and our partners were straight on it. That’s the Island spirit – we are here for each other.”
He added, “This presentation is a personal thank you for the incredible support we received. Huge thanks to all agencies — we hope to keep supporting each other moving forward.”
Unbreakable Partnerships Kept Frontline Services Running
Victoria White, Head of Ambulance, recalled the early days of the pandemic and how partners stepped up without hesitation.
“When the pandemic hit, we faced uncharted territory. Hampshire and IOW Fire and Rescue began ambulance driver training straight away. St John Ambulance was already helping ambulance services nationwide,” White explained.
She highlighted the game-changing partnership with Hovertravel:
“When air ambulance flights were limited due to Covid testing, we teamed up with Hovertravel to create the Island Rescue Service. It’s been a lifeline for moving patients off the Island.”
January’s soaring infection rates and staff sickness saw the Ambulance service call on St John, Fire and Rescue, and the Military for mutual aid. White praised her partners’ professionalism and dedication, saying their support had been “absolutely exemplary.”
Voices From the Frontline
- Sean Harrison, Station Manager, Hampshire and IOW Fire and Rescue: “We coordinated the fire service response seamlessly. The NHS team cleared barriers, provided training, and ensured risk assessments – making it easy to help when crisis hit.”
- Lt Colonel Mike Dyos, Joint Military Command South East: “Supporting the NHS was a huge challenge but an outstanding opportunity for our troops to show adaptability. Many are now considering NHS careers post-service.”
- Neil Chapman, Managing Director, Hovertravel: “Working with the NHS has been a dream. As the Island recovers from Covid, our partnership continues to grow for the benefit of patients and the wider Solent community.”
- Richard Lyons, Ambulance Locality Manager for St John Ambulance: “Covid hit hard, but our crews stepped up to provide vital care. We’ve built strong relationships with NHS teams on the Island.”
A Lasting Reminder of Support
In a touching gesture, Hampshire and IOW Fire and Rescue presented a drawing from one of their talented members, emblazoned with the message, “We’ve got your back.” It now takes pride of place in the Isle of Wight Ambulance Station — a symbol of unity forged in crisis.
