THEY save hundreds of lives every year and they have now been awarded for their outstanding service.

Staff and teams of the South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SCAS) were honoured at their annual known as the Ambies.

From the Hampshire teams the following were honoured at the ceremony held at the Castle Hotel, Windsor:

  • NHS 111 Person of the Year Award - Monica Knight, a health information adviser and call handler based in the Clinical Co-ordination Centre in Otterbourne
  • A&E Person of the Year - Robert Lankford¸ an emergency care assistant based at the Hythe Resource Centre
  • Educator of the Year - Julie Bailey, a clinical mentor based at Nursling Resource Centre
  • Governors’ Ambassador Award - John Cross, a community healthcare practitioner Support
  • Person of the Year - Michelle Archer, a communications manager based in Otterbourne 

Will Hancock, chief executive of SCAS, said: “The Ambies have been running since 2009 and are an excellent way to reward those staff who go above and beyond the call of duty right across the organisation.

"Their popularity increases year after year, as can be seen by the record 220 staff nominations we received for the 2016 awards, and they are a great way to motivate and inspire our incredible staff.

"All staff and teams who are nominated receive a certificate of recognition and those shortlisted are invited to attend the event where the winners of the 12 categories are announced.

“This year’s event was a great way to acknowledge a really successful year for us, as we celebrated our 10th birthday in July.

"It was a real privilege for me to be able to meet and talk to such inspirational people and made me feel very proud to be part of SCAS”, Mr Hancock said.

Winners received their awards from broadcaster Martin Stanford and the event was sponsored by Hexagon Safety & Infrastructure, O2, O&H Vehicle Conversions, Terravix and Ortivus.