Remembering Malcolm Woollard

It was with real sadness and regret that I learnt of the untimely death of Professor Malcolm Woollard last month. Sadness that a friend and mentor had died far too early, and regret that the projects we had been developing will now have to continue without his presence, insight and guidance. Malcolm's achievements are unparalleled in the context of the paramedic profession, and it is reasonable to argue that he has been one of the most influential people in the development of the paramedic workforce in recent years.

Despite having started his healthcare career as a nurse back in 1982, Malcolm was a paramedic through-and-through. Within 2 years of qualifying he had joined the ambulance service and made rapid progress to become one of the very first paramedics at a time when the qualification had yet to be recognised at a national level. He continued to serve as a leader in his field and claimed a number of important firsts including; the first UK paramedic to be conferred in the title of visiting professor, the first paramedic to be conferred in a full-time professorship, and the first paramedic to be appointed as a consultant allied health professional.