Recognizing the profession: Queen's Ambulance Service Medal for Distinguised Service

Ambulance service staff are to be considered for a new award: The Queen's Ambulance Service Medal for Distinguished Service (QAM).

The QAM is circular in form and silver, the obverse bears the crowned effigy of the Sovereign, on the reverse is the inscription ‘For Distinguished Ambulance Service’, with a design that is emblematic of the ambulance service. The ribbon is pale green with a narrow central stripe of silver and narrow silver stripes at both edges.

The first set of nominations for the QAM will be submitted on 22 August 2011 and the first medals will be presented to ambulance staff by Her Majesty the Queen as part of The Queen's Birthday Honours List 2012.

The medal is to be made available to all NHS ambulance services and equivalent in the realms and territories of the Queen within the UK, and comes with rules and ordinances. The award means that ambulance staff can join their colleagues in the police and fire and rescue emergency services in having a way to recognize outstanding and exemplary service. The Department of Health (DH) (2011) has issued guidance for NHS ambulance services in England concerning the award.