An advanced practitioner in critical care has become the first female paramedic in the country to qualify for the Register of Consultant Practitioners.

Vicki Brown, an advanced practitioner at Great Western Air Ambulance Charity, has qualified to get on the Faculty of Pre Hospital Care (FPHC) Register of Consultant (Level 8) Practitioners and collegaues say it is an 'amazing achievement' and 'wonderful recognition of years of hard work and expertise.'

A spokesperson for Great Western Air Ambulance Charity (GWAAC) said: "This is also a big achievement for the paramedic profession.

Its crew’s capabilities and combined experience as a team are constantly growing and evolving, meaning the best possible care can be delivered to patients."

Vicki joins GWAAC Drs Matt Campbell, Matt Thomas, and Cosmo Scurr on the very short list of people qualified. Other doctors, who completed their training with GWAAC, are also on the register.

Since the first registration in 2015, there are only 70 individuals on the list. Just 20% of these are female, which makes Vicki’s achievement even more unique.

After achieving the Diploma in Immediate Care, Vicki spent a few years going through the process of providing evidence to the Faculty of Pre-Hospital Care of her experience and knowledge. This culminated in submitting portfolios of clinical and operational experience, and attending an interview.

She found out she’d made it on the Register after an interview in December with the Faculty of Pre-Hospital Care, which is associated with the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.

Vicki said: “I’m feeling very proud to have achieved this level and hope other paramedics will follow as pre-hospital medicine is very much multi-professional. I hope this shows that paramedics can achieve this level of practice. I intend to continue pushing the boundaries of paramedic practice and hope there is more success to come.”

Anna Perry, CEO, Great Western Air Ambulance Charity added: “I’m so pleased that Vicki’s outstanding commitment to patient care and professional development has been recognized once again.

Her latest achievement is wonderful news and well deserved. Keep breaking those barriers Vicki!”