What the ambulance service ought to be

In presenting the inaugural Larrey Lecture to a packed audience in London on 13 July 2016, Professor Douglas Chamberlain, CBE, KBG, the founder of the first paramedic unit in Europe more than 30 years ago, spelt out his vision of the 21^st century ambulance service as:

At the end of the lecture, David Davis, Founder and Chairman, The Larrey Society, presented Professor Chamberlain with The Larrey Lecture Medal for his contribution to the nation's healthcare.

The event celebrated the 250th anniversary of Dominique Jean Larrey, the 17^th century French military surgeon who introduced battlefield treatment for the wounded of both sides during the Napoleonic wars and what he called ‘flying ambulances’. These achievements brought him recognition as the father of the modern day ambulance service.

Smartgate Solutions Ltd, developers of health and social care quality compliance services sponsored the event and other speakers were Professor Andy Newton, President, The Larrey Society and Chairman, College of Paramedics; and Dr Carl Gwinnutt, President, Resuscitation Council (UK).