Mourners gather to remember 'father of paramedics'

Mourners have paid tribute to the man dubbed the "father of the paramedic profession" at his funeral in Hove.

Prof Douglas Chamberlain, 94, is credited with professionalising paramedics when he trained the first six "ambulance men" in Brighton in March 1971.

The acclaimed cardiologist died on 22 May and was remembered at the Sacred Heart Church in Norton Road on Friday.

Jaqui Lindridge, chief paramedic officer for South East Coast Ambulance Service (Secamb), said: "Secamb is very proud and is fortunate to have had an extremely close working relationship with Professor Chamberlain for many years and he will be remembered extremely fondly by colleagues past and present."

She added: "It is clear that Douglas's legacy will continue to inspire colleagues in Secamb and beyond and we thank him for his dedication and expertise in improving pre-hospital cardiac care."

Dr Chamberlain first trained six men to use defibrillators in ambulances in 1971.

He also taught them how to interpret electrocardiograms (ECGs) and administer emergency medicines.

The training paved the way for the paramedic profession and became what is today the South East Coast Ambulance Service.

Just one of the original six ambulance men is still alive, Robin Friday, who retired from Secamb in 2012.

In 2020, Secamb named its new Make Ready Centre in Chamberlain House, Woollards Way, Brighton, after Dr Chamberlain in recognition of his role.

Prof Bryan Williams OBE, chief scientific and medical officer for the British Heart Foundation, said: "Douglas paved the way for countless lives to be saved.

"His relentless passion and drive throughout his exemplary career, continues to inspire the generations that have come after him to persevere with improving the survival rates from cardiac arrest.

"Colleagues who had the pleasure of working with Douglas remember him fondly for his sharp intellect and excellent wit and sense of humour."

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