From lectures to saving lives for student paramedics

The first group of students from Northern Ireland's paramedic sciences degree course have completed their final year and say they are ready to save lives.

The course at Ulster University's Derry-Londonderry campus opened back in 2021, with more than 600 people applying for just 40 places. Previously, those who wanted to enter the paramedic profession from NI had to train either in Great Britain or the Republic of Ireland.

An official badge ceremony was held on Friday to celebrate and officially recognise the first batch of students completing their degrees ahead of their graduation in December.

Among those who have completed the course are Stacey Cummings and Ben Malone.

Speaking to BBC News NI, Stacey Cummings, who is from Ballymena, said she was inspired to become a paramedic after working in a homeless hostel for men with addiction issues.

"A paramedic actually came in one day following an incident in work and suggested that I consider the profession.

"I thought to myself: 'Why not?'

"So I applied for the course at the last minute and I have loved every second since, but it was from that one moment that inspired it all."

Stacey said the last three years have flown by and she cannot believe she and her peers are close to graduating.

She said the course is very intense with many practical elements, but said because they have such a small group in their year, they have all developed a real bond to help and support each other.

"You develop a real bond with everyone, the students and the lecturers all want you to excel and it's great to have that support network."

Ben Malone, who is originally from Dublin, said he has known he wanted to be a paramedic since he was seven years old.

"Growing up I was looking after both my grandmothers and I came across healthcare workers like nurses, doctors and paramedics.

"I joined the Order of Malta as a cadet when I was 11 and I learned first aid and then the next step was to go on and study here at Ulster University"."

Ben applied to the course in 2020 and was successful in receiving a place on the first ever cohort.

As a student paramedic, Ben said he witnessed life and death on his first day on work placement, attending both a home birth and a death.

He said this is a pioneering course, leading the professional development of paramedics in Northern Ireland and said he is honoured to be among the first to be graduating.

"Nobody calls an ambulance on a good day," he said.

"If I can play a part in providing that reassurance and care and support to make a difference to someone's life, then that truly is the best feeling you can get."

The course is split between 50% practical-based learning and 50% in class lectures.

The official ceremony on Friday is in recognition that final-year students have completed all the elements necessary for them to progress to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Student paramedics' families attended along with representatives from Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS).

The course started with 40 students and just three lecturing staff in September 2021, but has since grown to one that is supporting more than 130 students across all three-year groups.

Many of the final year students on the course have already secured jobs in Northern Ireland and both Ben and Stacey are overjoyed to be able to soon call themselves fully qualified paramedics.

Stacey said she acknowledges that there is a lot of pressure involved in the job, but feels they have been given all the tools to exceed in the role.

"Many people see all these ambulances lined up outside hospitals, but what people may not always see is the fantastic job that paramedics are doing inside them.

"We are always told on this course that you will be helping someone on their worst day - it may be your job and your fifth call but you could be with someone on the worst day of their life.

"You always need to remember that and they are at the centre of everything."