Prince William was in Birmingham today, January 15, to attend the college’s inaugural emergency and critical care conference.
The prince, who is a former air ambulance pilot, delivered a speech to delegates at the conference, which was dedicated to helping emergency responders make effective decisions under pressure.
The College of Paramedics was established in 2001 and is involved in developing the paramedic profession through advocating for professional standards, learning and development, and taking care of the mental health and well-being of its members.
The college was granted the Royal Charter of Incorporation by the King in February last year and is looking forward to welcoming its new patron.
He gave a speech to those at the conference in Birmingham (Image: Aaron Chown / PA Wire) Tracy Nicholls OBE, chief executive of the College of Paramedics said: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales, as our new patron.
“His remarkable achievements and unwavering commitment to the health and well-being of our members and all emergency service personnel align perfectly with our mission to shape the future of the paramedic profession.
“His unique understanding of the role paramedics play in benefiting society will be instrumental in this partnership.
“Having his support will undoubtedly raise the profile of our work, and that of our members, and inspire others to join us in making a difference.
“This is a transformative moment for the College of Paramedics, and we look forward to the exciting opportunities ahead under his patronage.”
The prince served for three years as a helicopter pilot with the RAF Search and Rescue Force, flying rescue missions from RAF Valley in Anglesey, and later joined the East Anglian Air Ambulance, responding to call-outs for two years before stepping down in July 2017.
Prince William met senior leaders of the college during the conference, as well as speakers from the day and paramedics from a range of fields.
The prince also watched two sessions at the conference focused on trauma critical care and the techniques used during search and rescue helicopter missions.