The north’s first ever paramedic science students have celebrated the end of their final year of studies ahead of graduation later this year.
The students are set to be the first graduating cohort from Northern Ireland’s first paramedic sciences course, which was launched by Ulster University in 2021, with funding from the Department of Health.
Before then, aspiring paramedics needed to travel to the Republic or the UK in order to complete a degree in Paramedic Science.
The programme now has 130 students across all year groups and teaching team of 10 academics.
Ben Malone, a student on the course, always wanted to be a paramedic since the age of 8 after his grandmother suffered a stroke.
“We have been at the forefront of this programme, pioneering its development over the past three years,” he said.
“The friends I have made, skills and knowledge I have learned from expert lecturers and the experience I have gained through practice learning, will stand to me in years to come.”
Andrew Chambers, course director BSc Paramedic Science at Ulster University said: “The students from our course represent the future of the paramedic profession and the wider Health Service here in Northern Ireland and I have no doubt that with the diverse learning opportunities they have received as part of this programme that they will go on to have a profound impact on the delivery of prehospital care within the province for years to come.”
Neil Sinclair, chief paramedic officer at the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) added: “The arrival of this large number of highly-skilled new recruits will bring benefits and welcome support, not only to NIAS, but across the entire health and social care system, and most importantly to the local community.”
