An Ipswich paramedic working for an air ambulance charity has graduated with a Master’s degree in Advanced Paramedic Practice (Critical Care) after three years of studying.

East Anglian Daily Times: Erica Ley, from Ipswich, has graduated as a critical care paramedic for the Essex Air Ambulance. Pictured at her graduation ceremony.Erica Ley, from Ipswich, has graduated as a critical care paramedic for the Essex Air Ambulance. Pictured at her graduation ceremony. (Image: Archant)

Erica Ley works as a critical care paramedic at the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance Trust.

Over the past three years she has been studying part-time at the University of Hertfordshire for the critical care qualification alongside her life-saving day job as part of the heli-med team.

She recently graduated in a ceremony held at St Albans Cathedral.

Erica said: “I’ve really enjoyed studying and am pleased to have finished.

“Part-time study whilst working full-time is challenging, but as clinicians we have an obligation to further our knowledge and enhance our skill set to improve the standard level of care we are able to offer patients.

“I’m now looking for the next challenge – I don’t like to sit still.”

Laurie Phillipson, clinical manager at Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust, added: “Erica is one of the top paramedics in the country and continuously puts in her all to advance the paramedic profession.

“Whilst juggling a busy work life and submitting papers for academic journals, providing medical cover for a world-record breaking endurance cyclist and speaking at international emergency medicine conferences she has managed to excel in her studies.

“We are all very proud of her.”

Each of the trust’s helicopter medical teams is made up of a pilot, pre-hospital care doctor and the critical care paramedic role.

The trust’s two helicopters cover medical emergencies across the region, offering both skills and expertise at the scene as well as a faster journey to hospital once a patient has been stabilised.