James Bridge

Private Healthcare Organisation, Ambulance Service Paramedic


Job Title: Paramedic
Place of Work: Front Line and events for Polaris Medical, Disability Strand Lead – College of Paramedics Diversity Steering Group (volunteer), National Ambulance Disability Network Liaison for the College of Paramedics (volunteer)


What does your job include?
My front line responsibilities are responding to 999 and 111 emergency calls within the South Central region. My role as the Disability Strand Lead is to advise and support the College on matters pertaining to disability (for staff and patients), through lived experience and the experience of other members of the Strand. In addition to this, I’m to support the Stand in any work that we wish to undertake, for instance, research. With this, I strive to help educate everyone best practice around disabilities so that all of us can lead careers. 

My role as the NADN liaison is to act as the voice of the College and to pass information between the two groups. I also assist the NADN with any events or work they undertake, wherever possible.



How did you get into your role?
Initially I started off doing a Foundation Degree in Biomedical Science with the intention of becoming a laboratory technician. However, after a while of not finding any work a family friend made me aware of patient transport services. In early 2015 I managed to find work as an Emergency Care Assistant, after completing the First Person on Scene intermediate, and IHCD D1 D2 driving qualifications. From there I progressed from PTS to front line. In 2018 I decided to become a paramedic, and went to Hertfordshire University. During this time I was still working as an ECA, but now with critical care nurses on ambulances doing ITU transfers. While at university, a guest lecturer Georgette Eaton, saw how passionate I was about disability and pointed me in the direction of the College and a new group being formed, the DSG. I applied, was successful, and the rest, as they say, was history.


What do you think is the most important benefit of being a member of the College of Paramedics, and why?
There are too many to mention, but my personal favourite is the CPD. It’s varied so I don’t get bored going over the same few topics that I’m interested in.