Tony Walker ASM

Board Chair, The Council of Ambulance Authorities

CAA's challenge this year, same as for many of us, was coming to terms after a prolonged pandemic and a world that was eager to get back to normality. A mix of virtual and in-person events and meetings, coupled with a fear of the new pandemic wave has seen most of us review our priorities.

With many sectors embracing new working conditions, our sector too looked at how our services can be delivered within these new requirements. Virtual EDs and telehealth and non-transfer options were just a few initiatives that took flight to help with high rising demand and limitations for in-person attendance.

As always technology provides a solution and we are seeing a growth in great new systems and tools that will no doubt leave a lasting legacy when the pandemic is long forgotten.

CAA has provided wonderful support during the pandemic years and the exchange of information and experiences have been greatly appreciated and acted upon.

CAA Committees, Forums and Working Groups continue to provide networking opportunities and knowledge exchange and it has been wonderful seeing our members getting back to in-person meetings and events.

CAA Congress is an event we all look forward to and after a two-year break we are excited to be able to learn and network together The CAA Team has as always outdone themselves when it comes to program and speakers, and the many networking events will no doubt provide a welcome opportunity to catch up with colleagues.

I always look forward to seeing the entries for the CAA Awards for Excellence and given the push our sector experienced during last two years of the pandemic, this will no doubt impact the programs and projects up for 2022 CAA Awards for Excellence.

We were excited to bring to the front the CAA Women in Leadership Scholarship, winners to be announced at the CAA Awards Gala Dinner. With over 120 applicants in its inaugural year, this is an initiative that will be around for many years to come, shining the light on the many incredible women working in the ambulance sector and providing them with learning and personal development opportunities.

Campaigns such as Restart a Heart, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Sustainable Ambulance and Hand Hygiene Day provide for important awareness raising activities both internal facing and external to our members.

The importance of our sector working together and collaboratively has never been so prominent as in the last few years when we were faced with the pandemic and now unprecedented high demand What the future of the ambulance sector and indeed CAA looks like is being addressed in the new 5year CAA Strategy. One thing is certain; collaboration, networking and knowledge sharing will always sit at the forefront of everything we do.