THE deputy chief executive of West Midlands Ambulance Service has been honoured in Her Majesty the Queen's New Year’s Honours List.

Diane Scott, an executive director of the trust board and who is responsible for the corporate and clinical directorates, is one of only two England-based recipients of the Queen’s Ambulance Service Medal (QAM).

The QAM ensures that the dedication of ambulance staff has the same level of royal recognition as other members of the emergency services.

Ms Scott is also a Health and Care Professions Council registered paramedic and has worked in the ambulance service profession for more than 30 years, starting her career with Hampshire Ambulance Service in 1985.

"I am immensely proud and honoured to receive this award," Ms Scott said.

"It is a great privilege and the QAM represents the pinnacle of my ambulance career.

"I have been proud to work for, and with, many good people at all levels throughout the ambulance service and the NHS, including many skilled and compassionate colleagues who provide excellent care on a daily basis to patients and the public.

"Whilst I have been fortunate to receive the award, it would not have happened without the hard work and support of my colleagues from within the ambulance service to whom I am extremely grateful."