Andrew Lewin, the newly elected MP for Welwyn Hatfield, has gained first-hand experience of the work of the ambulance service as he joined paramedics for the day.

Mr Lewin teamed up with Daisy and Jake from the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) on an ambulance from Welwyn Garden City ambulance station and observed them as they responded to 999 calls around the area.

The experience gave the MP an insight into the types of emergencies that EEAST are called to respond to, and how ambulance staff try to keep up with increasing demand on the service.

He also learnt about the process in handing over patients to hospital A&E departments, and how delays there can impact on getting ambulances back out on the road quickly.

The MP said: “It was an honour to join Daisy and Jake on their shift and to see the work of our local paramedics and community first responders first hand. They were everything I expected from NHS employees: professional, calm and highly skilled at treating their patients.

"It was invaluable to get their perspective on the challenges they face on the frontline of the NHS and to discuss how they and their colleagues can best be supported in the future.

"The Labour government is determined to support the NHS and the work of change has begun. One of our first acts was to deliver a backdated pay rise for NHS staff, as it’s essential we reward our brilliant public servants fairly.”