Stuart A. Smith

Stuart has worked within a variety of clinical roles during his 25-year career working in the NHS, predominantly within the field of pre-hospital emergency care.

He initially began his career as a Paramedic with the former Greater Manchester Ambulance Service NHS Trust before it became the North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust (NWAS) in 2006. After working as a Paramedic on an Emergency Ambulance, he moved onto working on a Rapid Response Vehicle, covering Manchester city centre for three years. During this time, Stuart also undertook training to become a Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) Paramedic with the North West Air Ambulance and worked from their base in Blackpool for two years. Three years later Stuart was seconded onto the National Defibrillator Programme, with responsibility for identifying, installing and training both employees and members of the public in using automated external defibrillators. Stuart then moved to a new role at Manchester International Airport as a solo Paramedic Responder, attending emergency calls throughout the whole airport footprint.

In 2009, Stuart was appointed as an Advanced Paramedic as part of a new clinical leadership programme within NWAS. This role involved him taking leadership at incidents, offering support to staff, investigating incidents and complaints and ensuring clinical governance and procedures were embedded across the Trust, all whilst completing his MSc in Advanced Practice.

In 2017, Stuart left the ambulance service full-time and worked in various primary care roles as an Advanced Practitioner including: General Practice, Urgent Care Centre and Community Response.

Stuart then moved into education, initially at The University of Bolton, teaching on the MSc Advanced Practice programme. He then moved to Edge Hill University to teach on their Paramedic Practice programme. However, two years later and the opportunity arose for him to return to The University of Bolton to teach on their new BSc(Hons) Paramedic Science programme.

Stuart has a strong affinity with The University of Bolton, having undertook his PGCE at the former Bolton Institute of Higher Education in 1998, which then became The University of Bolton in 2004. After completing his PGCE, he then began an MA in Educational Management which he gained in 2003. Alongside his academic achievements, Stuart is also a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, a Member of the Institute of Leadership and a Member of the College of Paramedics. In 2008 he was admitted as a Member of the Order of St. John for his extensive work and roles held within St. John Ambulance.

Stuart is keen to promote the professional side of the ambulance service having spoken at several conferences and symposiums, along with smaller local groups. His specific interest is communication skills and professionalism by healthcare staff and how this can impact on the patient’s experience.