To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the NHS on July 5, the Adver spoke to one of Swindon’s paramedics about what life in the ambulance service is really like.

Sophie Weaver was born in the town and lives just two minutes away from the ambulance station where she is now stationed.

She has been with the ambulance service for five and a half years but has been with the NHS for 20 years having previously worked in radiology at the Great Western Hospital.

Now, she holds the position of lead paramedic in learning and development at the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT).

Swindon Advertiser: The NHS celebrates its 75th birthday this year.The NHS celebrates its 75th birthday this year. (Image: South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust)

“It is a completely different contrast from working in the hospital as you can actually visit people’s homes and the community to provide care,” she said.

“Every day is different and each patient is as important as each other so I am proud to look after every patient.”

The 41-year-old also drives the ambulance from time to time having been fully qualified in blue light response.

“It can be hard at times to get around as the roadworks in Swindon can be tricky to deal with,” said Sophie.

“You have to concentrate a lot when the blue lights are on but you’re a lot higher up in the ambulance so you can navigate better where you’re on route.”

Swindon Advertiser: Elaine Macarteny (left) and Sophie Weaver (right) work for SWASFT in Swindon.Elaine Macarteny (left) and Sophie Weaver (right) work for SWASFT in Swindon. (Image: SWASFT)

SWASFT manages around one million incidents every year, delivering care to patients with a wide range of illnesses and injuries.

Sophie’s remains just as passionate for the job as the day she started, despite being in the industry for two decades.

“I am really lucky to work with such an amazing team who help people every day so I feel very privileged,” she said.

“The Ambulance Trust is incredibly important as it is when people are at their worst moments so it is really wonderful that we can get there quickly.

“It is an honour to be able to work for the NHS and I absolutely adore this job, so I couldn’t think of doing anything else.”

SWASFT covers the largest ambulance region in England, operating over 10,000 square miles from the Isles of Scilly to Swindon and Gloucester, with a population that increases from 5.7 million up to 23 million people throughout the year.

A spokesperson for the Ambulance Trust said: “As we celebrate the NHS’ 75th anniversary, we want to take this opportunity to thank our people, past and present, who have helped made the South Western Ambulance Service the organisation that it is today.

“Together, our people deliver the best care to patients when they are needed the most.”