New female chief ambulance officer a first for island
GUERNSEY’S first female chief ambulance officer has been appointed.
Ali Marquis has also become one of only three women to lead an ambulance service in the British Isles.
‘I am delighted and humbled, this is a great responsibility and an amazing opportunity.
‘I am looking forward to serving the community and working with the committed and dedicated women and men of the service as we develop our range of pre-hospital care over the next few years in support of the new health model,’ she said.
Previously, Mrs Marquis was a civil servant, working for Housing, Social Security and Health, and in human resources, before joining the ambulance service in 2006.
She was appointed as a senior HR manager with responsibility for organisational development and progressed to assistant chief officer then most recently to deputy chief officer.
She is among a growing number of senior emergency service officers nationally who have not come through the traditional operational service ranks.
‘The team here is a fantastic one, our strategy is clear and the employees and volunteers are committed and professional.
‘They all genuinely care about the work they do and that care extends to the way they provide the medical treatment to our patients, often going over and above what is required of them. I am proud to be a part of this unique organisation and look forward to leading the service as it develops in the future.’
Mrs Marquis thanked the board of St John and her predecessor, Jon Beausire, who retired in August, for help and support.
Chair of the board of St John Ambulance and Rescue Service Steve Le Page said Mrs Marquis had proven herself as a leader and would be a ‘great influence’.
‘I, my board and the Commandery of St John are delighted to have appointed such a capable chief officer and we are confident that she will continue to build on the excellent leadership of the service, over many years, by Jon Beausire up until his recent retirement,’ he said.
Mrs Marquis new leadership coincides with a time of change for the emergency ambulance service as a new contract is yet to be secured with Health & Social Care for 2019 onwards.
The service is set to be developed under the new health model as part of the committee’s ‘Partnership of Purpose’.
The service is under contract with the States and responds to over 4,000 emergency calls and transfers each year.
