Paramedic Roy calls it a day after 35 years

Now, after 35 years of saving lives, Black Country paramedic Roy Sampson is set to embark upon the next chapter his life.

Mr Sampson worked his final shift for West Midlands Ambulance Service last week and is now looking forward to retirement.

Looking back over his time in the ambulance service, he said: "It has been a huge part of me for so long.

"When I started I was keen and enthusiastic but it was all quite daunting. After the first couple of years, I started to think this is a job I could do long term.

"I have performed various roles but the feeling of helping people in what can be their lowest point has always been just as rewarding as when I started."

Mr Sampson, 54, from Cradley Heath, took up his first role as an ambulance attendant in 1979.

He said: "I was living in Birmingham at the time and saw an advert in the local paper, looking for recruits to the ambulance service.

"I thought to myself, I fancy driving fast for work. Unfortunately I wasn't able to do that at first, I was too young to be given a driving role."

Instead, Mr Sampson worked on the 'front line', looking after those being driven to hospital after an emergency.

He said: "The first year in particular was very over whelming. It wasn't really what I had expected, coming face to face with the public in often traumatic circumstances. You do need to get used to it but you never really know what you're going out to when the call comes through."

Despite a start that could have seen someone with less drive crumble under the pressure, Mr Sampson looked ahead and saw the opportunity to move forward with West Midlands Ambulance Service.

His next role saw involved getting behind the wheel, but not at high speed.

A position in patient transport services, taking people to and from hospital appointments, gave a glimpse into another side of what the ambulance service does.

He said: "That is where I gained a lot of my people skills. It's not an emergency situation, so people are more open to talking, but you still have to be professional. Those skills give you a good grounding and help you keep calm in more urgent times."

Mr Sampson qualified as a paramedic in the 1980s, after two months of training on the job and in the classroom.

He said: "That was quite a big moment for me. Paramedics were a fairly new department and I wanted to take that challenge. Learning is a big part of the job, you are always learning."

More senior roles were only round the corner as Mr Sampson's experience and commitment shone through to bosses.

He performed various managerial roles and after several years working in the Emergency Operations Centre in Brierley Hill, Mr Sampson recently returned to the road for his final role as paramedic Area Support Officer based at the Willenhall hub.

He said: "My work has taken me all over the region and I am proud to have served and worked with such great people."

Following his final shift, Mr Sampson was thrown a surprise farewell party by his colleagues, who had turned out en masse to wish him well.

The party was kept secret thanks to co workers using all their cunning to not allow him out of the office.

He said: "It's touching to think that people thought so much of me. Working my last shift was very emotional.

"The ambulance service has been such a big part of my life, it's difficult to comprehend not being here anymore and not working with my friends.

"I feel sad that I'm leaving but I know it's the right time for me.

"I've still got a nice journey ahead of me in my retirement and I'm really looking forward to what the future holds.

"My partner and I have got some holidays booked for starters and next year, when I'm ready, I'll look for a part time job to keep active."

Paul Baylis, Black Country North Area Manager, said: "Roy will be sorely missed as he is irreplaceable and truly a one off.

"He's always been dependable and a respected pillar of the ambulance service and I know I speak on behalf of everyone when I wish Roy a long, happy and healthy retirement."