The first ever cohort of Paramedic Science students in Northern Ireland have graduated from the Magee campus of Ulster University in Derry.
The first 40 students to complete the three-year course, which launched in September 2021 as the region’s first ever BSc Paramedic Sciences programme, celebrated with family and friends at the Millennium Forum in Derry on Tuesday.
Previously, those who wanted to enter the paramedic profession had to travel outside of Northern Ireland to train, but with funding support from the Department of Health, the three-year course at Ulster University has grown in popularity to accommodate 130 students across all year groups with the support of 10 academic staff.
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Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said: “I want to warmly congratulate all those graduating today. It was a real privilege to be here and share in this special occasion. I wish to extend my best wishes in particular to the first cohort of graduates from the BSc Paramedic Science three-year degree course."
The Minister added: "This programme now meets the growing demand for Paramedics across a range of different care settings in Northern Ireland, producing graduates who are equipped with the skills and confidence to excel in their role and provide excellent care to those who need it, by delivering better outcomes."
One of those graduating was Courtney McCaughley, from Belfast, who was also named Northern Ireland’s first ever Advancing Healthcare Student Paramedic of the Year.
"I felt extremely fortunate to spend 3 years studying alongside a group of fantastic student paramedics and people that I am privileged to call friends," she said. "Receiving this award allowed me to reflect on my time spent at university, feeling a sense of honour and pride that my hard work, dedication and person-centred care was recognised in such an overwhelming way.”
Courtney’s passion for healthcare was ignited from an early age when her younger brother’s chronic illness brought her family into close contact with emergency services. She said: “When I witnessed the inspirational level of compassionate care toward my family and mainly my brother when he was diagnosed with a chronic and life changing illness at a young age, I knew I wanted to work within healthcare. This inspiration led me to spend time volunteering with St John Ambulance where I developed a passion for pre-hospital care.”
Completing three years academic study focused on the fundamentals of emergency and urgent care, including 60 weeks of practice-based learning in various community health and social care settings, hospital services, and ambulance services, Courtney is delighted to have secured a role working for the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service.
Ulster University Paramedic Science Course Director, Andrew Chambers, added: “It fills me with immense pride to think that Courtney and her fellow graduates are already embedded within the health service, and I hope they serve as a welcome addition to a system that is under increasing pressure. As the Department of Health start to introduce further reforms and reconfigure services I think paramedics are going to play an increasingly important role.”
Courtney added: “I was delighted to learn that Ulster University was launching the Paramedic Science course in Northern Ireland, it felt like the opportunity I had been waiting for. I had used the years after school to gain valuable life experiences that have undoubtedly helped shape me into the paramedic that I now am today.”
Courtney credits the programme’s immersive approach and recalls one of her stand out experiences during 999 week, where students had the opportunity to learn and work alongside an array of emergency services - Coastguard, Helicopter Emergency Medical Service, and the Fire and Rescue service, saying: “999 week gave us hands-on experience as a paramedic, from practicing extrications in car accidents to working alongside Coastguard helicopters. The inter-agency teamwork in different scenarios was incredible preparation for real-world paramedic duties.”
She continued: “I have loved studying on the Derry~Londonderry campus as it has both a lively and welcoming atmosphere. The facilities have been amazing, from the library resources to the simulation suites aiding both my theoretical and practical knowledge and development. I have also benefitted from learning and being supported by an experienced team of paramedics, as well as nurses and pharmacists who helped make my university experience an incredibly positive one.”
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