Father and son follow same course and career path

Father and son Terry and Anthony Doherty will be sharing their success when they graduate from Teesside University.

The pair, who both studied a foundation degree in paramedic science, went on to achieve First Class BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science Top-Up degrees.

Terry, 68, of Long Eaton, near Nottingham and Derby, is a full-time paramedic tutor with the East Midlands Ambulance Service.

He said: 'I believe that higher education is the way forward and allows paramedics to advance further and gives those who wish to specialise greater opportunities.

'When I started working as an ambulance driver 40 years ago, I was out on the road from day one and didn’t even have a first aid certificate, whereas the skills and knowledge required now, before even going near an ambulance, are light years away.

'Undoubtedly the emphasis on enhanced education is a change for the better.'

He added: 'Previously the opportunity to obtain a paramedic degree was not available, therefore having the opportunity to gain a foundation and BSc has been something really satisfying as my career draws to a close. 'I have enjoyed studying as a mature student – it keeps my mind active and age isn’t a barrier. I believe the more mature you are the more you have to bring to a course. Being a distance learner didn’t cause any difficulties, as communication with the lecturers was exceptional.'

Anthony, 32, of Long Eaton, is a team leader in Derby for East Midlands Ambulance Service and is now progressing to postgraduate study.

He said: 'I saw the course as an opportunity to enhance my qualifications. I’d seen it online and phoned the tutor who was very enthusiastic and quick to come back with answers. I found a lot of transfer between what we studied and my role as a paramedic.

'I studied a trauma management module and I can now apply the additional knowledge gained from this in the care of the traumatically injured patients I see. We also did a module on service improvement and this gives me a better understanding of how and why changes are implemented within the NHS.'

He added: 'It always makes me proud studying with Dad, because he doesn’t have to do this, he does it because he loves it and that’s infectious. When I look at my fellow students it’s great to know that everyone has volunteered for this – to know all these paramedics have chosen to be here and are willing to learn.'

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