AN ELDERLY woman has praised the work of a paramedic who not only saved her life but treated her with kindness when she fell ill at Christmas.

Halina Radoszewska, 83, wrote to the Gazette to thank the man, known only to her as Roy, for the kindness he showed her when she started choking on Christmas Eve and for the concern he displayed when he called her on Boxing Day from his home.

The Gazette tracked down Roy Wagstaff, a Great Western Ambulance Service Emergency Care Practitioner from Stinchcombe, so the pair could meet again.

"I am so grateful to Roy for saving my life, he was my Christmas star," said Halina, of Dryleaze Court, Wotton.

"When I thanked him for his kindness, he modestly said he had only done his duty. But I know better, I know that he is a good man, with a kind understanding heart and I also know there is no price, no wages for kindness."

Halina started choking on Christmas Eve after antibiotics she had been prescribed failed to work. An ambulance turned up, but when Mr Wagstaff arrived he decided he would be able to treat her at home because she didn’t want to go into hospital.

As an emergency care practitioner he is qualified to treat patients and administer drugs at their home.

Halina, who lost her husband three years ago and lives alone, said: "Roy was so professional and calm. He took over the situation, which made me feel calm. It felt as if he was a friend caring for me."

Halina was taken aback again when she received a call from Mr Wagstaff on Boxing Day to see if she was ok.

"An old woman of 83 and living alone, I appreciate each gesture of friendship, each kind deed I receive," added Halina. Father-of-three Mr Wagstaff said: "It can be a very rewarding job and it is very nice when people say thank you.

"The role of an emergency care practitioner is quite new and on this occasion it proved to work very well because I was able to treat Halina at her home."

The results of a patient care study released yesterday reveal that Great Western Ambulance Service performed significantly better than the national average in levels of care.

Anthony Marsh, chief executive of GWAS, said: "I am regularly talking to operational staff and accompanying them on call outs and it is clear that staff are dedicated to providing the highest levels of patient care.

"It is therefore very welcome to see that patients also appreciate the care they receive from our hard-working crews. Providing the best possible care for our patients is at the heart of everything we do as a service."