King’s Birthday Honour for EEAST Deputy Chief Paramedic

A Deputy Chief Paramedic at the East of England Ambulance Service (EEAST) has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in The King’s Birthday Honours List 2026.

Paul Gates has been recognised for his significant contribution to improving emergency care before patients reach hospital, both across Essex and nationally.

Paul serves as Vice-Chair of the British Association for Immediate Care (BASICS) and is Co-Founder and Chairman of BASICS Essex. He has more than 20 years of experience in healthcare, education and leadership.

At EEAST, Paul leads on clinical practice, professional standards, patient safety, and patient experience. Alongside this, he continues his work with BASICS, a national organisation that supports doctors, paramedics and other healthcare professionals to deliver urgent care to seriously ill or injured patients at the scene, prior to hospital transfer.

Paul, 56, from Rayleigh, Essex, joined BASICS in 2004. While working full-time, he completed the Advanced Pre-Hospital Care Course and achieved the Diploma in Immediate Medical Care in 2005, becoming one of a small number of paramedics in the early years of the qualification to pass the exam at the first attempt.

In 2009, he became involved in the county’s two BASICS schemes and played a key role in bringing them together to form BASICS Essex in 2010 (originally known as BEARS). This created a stronger, more sustainable service to support both patients and volunteer clinicians across the county.

BASICS Essex remains one of the county’s leading pre-hospital emergency care charities. In 2025 alone, its volunteer clinicians responded to more than 350 critical incidents across Essex, providing advanced medical care alongside statutory emergency services.

Reflecting on the honour, Paul said:

“I am both delighted and honoured to receive this award, but this recognition is not about one individual. It reflects the dedication of the volunteer doctors, paramedics and other healthcare professionals who give their time to deliver pre-hospital critical care to patients when they need it most.

“Across the UK, BASICS supports 33 immediate care charities and around 400 active volunteer responders, who regularly leave their families, workplaces and personal commitments to help save lives.

“I hope this award helps shine a light on the incredible work carried out by volunteers across the country, much of which goes unseen and unrecognised. It is their commitment to improving patient outcomes that truly deserves to be celebrated.”