Family members of London ambulance workers who died in the past year gathered at the service’s Waterloo headquarters this week to commemorate their loss.
About 100 relatives of the 22 ambulance workers who have died since 2020 were given a rose to lay in the London Ambulance Service (LAS) memorial garden, which has been open since May, in memory of their loved ones.
Former colleagues of their loved ones also gave family members memorial books, including messages from co-workers, as well as ceremonial bells.
The ceremony was led by LAS chief medical officer Dr Fenella Wrigley, chief paramedic Dr John Martin and non-executive director Amit Khutti.
Dr Wrigley said: “I know that words will never be enough, but I want to start by saying that the contribution that your loved one made to London and Londoners will never be forgotten.
“I have had the enormous honour of working with a number of these colleagues, who were incredibly hard working, passionate and went above and beyond in their roles to ensure that we provided the best possible care to the people of London in their time of need.
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“Whichever role they worked in the Service, be that on the frontline, in our call centres, in our workshops, or partner and support services, they all absolutely had a key role to providing outstanding patient care.”
There was a one-minute silence before Dr Martin added: “Thank you for joining us today. I hope that today’s event gives you some comfort.
“We will always remember your loved ones and our dear colleagues, and will never forget their commitment and dedication to the Service during the most unprecedented challenge that the NHS has ever faced.”
A message in the memorial garden reads: “There are special people in our lives who never leave us, even after they are gone.”