At EMED Group, we’re committed to helping colleagues grow, learn and thrive. This is reflected not only in the journeys of individuals like Cassandra Starkie – who is now on her way to becoming a paramedic – but also in our new partnership with Teesside University, giving student paramedics real experience alongside our crews.
Some stories stay with you and Cassandra’s is one of them!
After 13 years working in the care sector, Cassandra Starkie joined EMED’s Patient Care division in Leeds in 2022 as an Ambulance Care Assistant. It was a role that blended her love of caring for others with the chance to make a difference on the road, supporting patients at some of the most important moments of their lives.
When her manager, Stuart Fletcher, later moved to Safe Care, Cassandra followed and it was there that the idea of becoming a paramedic began to take shape. Balancing work with study was not easy, but with determination and the support of colleagues who truly believed in her, she completed an Access to A-levels course and gained the experience she needed to progress.
Today, Cassandra is studying Paramedic Science at Wrexham University and is on her way to joining the Welsh Ambulance Service as a trainee paramedic. She continues to work with EMED’s Patient Care team in Crewe around her lectures, building practical experience alongside her studies.
“My time at EMED has taught me so much – patience, empathy, reassurance and how to support people through the hardest moments. These are skills I’ll carry with me throughout my paramedic career.”
— Cassandra Starkie
Her story is a powerful reminder of the difference that supportive teams, opportunities and belief can make. It also reflects the strength of EMED’s commitment to colleague growth and development.
Paramedic Placements: Supporting Students to Gain Experience
Alongside the journeys of colleagues like Cassandra, we’re also creating structured new pathways into paramedicine across the organisation.
We’ve launched a new University partnership structure, led by Alan Robinson, our North East teams and supported by Head of Learning and Development, Jen Guy. This initiative offers student paramedics the opportunity to:
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shadow EMED crews
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gain real-world experience of patient transport and clinical interactions
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complete EMED training
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and join our roster of bank colleagues if they wish
In the first Blyth cohort alone, 13 students have taken part – strengthening their skills while contributing to our resilience over the three years of their degree. Bank colleagues remain one of the most efficient and high-quality ways for us to support demand without turning to third-party suppliers.
We are now looking to extend this model more widely, rolling it out to other universities shortly.
“This partnership brings benefits to everyone involved – students gain experience and confidence and EMED builds a future workforce who already understand our values, expectations and ways of working.”
This is the kind of collaboration that helps shape not only individual careers, but the future of patient care.
