Samantha Barry
I would like to stand for member representative for Wales. I’ve been a registered paramedic since 2016 and a member of the college of paramedics since 2015 with experience in several healthcare settings including NHS ambulance trust, private sector and hospital settings. I have also acted as a liaison officer for the college of paramedics since 2019.
My current role with NHS Wales as a medical examiner officer frequently requires me to work collaboratively and communicate complex information with different health boards, agencies, and government offices to a wide range of clinicians and staff to senior management level. I have sought the agreement of the lead medical examiner officer for Wales regarding my interest in this post.
I am proud to be a paramedic and I am proud of our profession, where it has been and where we are going in the future thanks to the work of the college for continuing to strive for the recognition our profession deserves.
I hold strong personal professional values and continue to maintain my professional development through a range of activities to ensure that I not only provide the best possible care for my patients but also as a representative of our profession, acting as a role model for my colleagues but also as a visible representation of our profession in the public eye.
Paramedics have so much to offer in the wider healthcare system and this is something that I would love to foster and encourage for the future whilst representing the members for Wales at the college and their interests whilst equally promoting the strategic aims and ethos of the college.
I love to see people succeed and will often seek out opportunities to help others progress, I believe we are stronger when united and through sharing our experiences and knowledge we can all benefit which in turn facilitates our end goal of providing high quality care to our patients and presenting a skilled and professional profession to the public.
I am fortunate that my current role involves working across Wales and I have an established network of contacts in a range of settings requiring virtual meetings and conferencing on a regular basis. The regular hours and nature of my work will allow me to devote the time and effort needed to fulfil the duties of this role as set out by the college.
I have several paramedic colleagues in support of me representing them, their interests, and the profession, to this end I am willing to work hard to meet their needs and those of the college of paramedics with tenacious enthusiasm with the mindfulness of the responsibility of holding a public office. We all have a responsibility as guardians of our profession that as it continues to grow and develop, that we are passing it to the next generation of paramedics in a better state than when we started. Safeguarding the future of our profession for years to come.
Over the past 7 years of being a paramedic, I have worked in a variety of positions: from moving to the UK as a HCPC registered international paramedic in 2016, to qualifying as a Specialist Paramedic in 2021, and moving into the academic world, where I am currently working as a Senior Lecturer. This has allowed me to work in a range of clinical settings, including frontline ambulance, telephone triage (111), general practice / primary care, and minor injury units. Having experience in these separate areas allows me to understand the different knowledge and training needs, as well as staff wants and needs.
In my current roles, I have taught a range and empowered a range of colleagues: clinicians, non-clinicians, and students, through both undergoing and teaching CPD. Due to this I want to help create and organise good-quality CPD events, in a range of settings (virtual, in-person) to suit all of our members – respecting diversity. Emotional and welfare support is vital for all staff, especially due to the current working conditions of long ramping and call delays. I want to see the college address this as well as create more local welfare events.
I am extremely passionate about paramedic practice, in all areas. We are experienced and knowledgeable healthcare professionals and need to be recognised in these areas - #notallparamedicsweargreen. I would like to support COP to push more in alternative working areas to support paramedics working in all capacities – working in ways to improve and equalise paramedic roles – like prescribing controlled drugs, writing fit notes.
I am an honest and open individual, who truly wants to help and work with my colleagues. I believe I show many of the COP values in my daily working life. Honesty especially is extremely important in any individual in a trusted position.
I hope to be a good representative for the South East region. Please contact me for any advice or support I can offer.