Tributes to woman inspired to work for EMRTS following the death of her brother
A woman inspired to join an emergency service following the loss of her brother has continued her support following her death.
Maggie Lewis-Price joined the Powys Ambulance Service, later the Welsh Ambulance Service, just over 30 years ago, and served loyally in a variety of roles.
In 2018 her brother Alun Price fell ill and emergency services were called, which led to Wales Air Ambulance attending with an Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS) crew.
Alun was airlifted to the New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton, but passed away on November 15.
The response of EMRTS however, who provide an Emergency Department standard of care at the site of an incident, inspired Maggie to want to join the service.
Having worked operationally with the Patient Transport service, and then in EMS control with responsibility for allocating resources to emergency incidents, she eventually landed a job as an EMRTS despatcher, transferring her skills and years of experience to the service’s Critical Care Hub based in Cwmbran.
Maggie, aged 56, passed away 5 years to the day after her brother, on 15th November 2023, after a bravely fought battle with illness. A funeral service was held at Hereford Crematorium in December.
Her brother Gwyn said: “Her interview to work for EMRTS was very emotional for Maggie, following the death of our brother and everything EMRTS had done for him.
“But it was something she very much wanted to do, and she was delighted when she was employed by EMRTS.
“It was a job she loved and she gave it her all.
“I work for the RNLI and we used to joke that she covered the land, and I covered the sea!
“She was very proud of what she did and her contribution to such an important life-saving service.
“Our family were very touched to see work colleagues from Wales Air Ambulance and EMRTS attend her funeral, and we took comfort from hearing tributes and how much she was loved in her job.”
In lieu of flowers the family asked for donations to be made to the Wales Air Ambulance. The charity has subsequently received a donation of £370.
EMRTS Critical Care Hub Manager Greg Browning said: “Maggie took to her role with EMRTS very quickly, despite the difficulties and restrictions that the global pandemic had caused to be imposed the very week that she and her new colleagues started their training.
“She had a calm demeanour and a very logical mind which lent itself well to this sort of work. Many messages of sympathy from all across EMRTS after her passing spoke clearly of how well liked she was.
“Maggie’s courage and stoicism was exemplified by the fact that when she told me the news that her condition was now untreatable, rather than indulge in any self-pity she was most concerned about how she would break the news to her brother.
“She was taken far too young and will be fondly remembered by her colleagues.
“It is lovely and very fitting that the donations raised will continue to support the organisations she was so proud to work for.”
EMRTS Operations Director Mark Winter added: “We are extremely grateful to Maggie’s family for giving this donation to our Charity and I hope it is of some comfort that these funds will help to continue our life saving work. Maggie remains in our thoughts.