The North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) Education Team trained 13,498 people during 2025 at its primary training hub in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear. According to NEAS, that record-breaking total includes approximately 5,400 internal staff and more than 8,000 external learners, covering both members of the public and delegates from businesses.
The team operates from the NEAS Education Centre on the Team Valley Trading Estate (1A Dukesway Court, Team Valley Trading Estate, Gateshead NE11 0PJ). The Dukesway facility is used to deliver paramedic-led courses and community workshops so both NEAS employees and local residents can learn how to handle medical emergencies.
Training covers practical skills such as chest compressions and the use of a defibrillator (an automated external defibrillator, which can help restart a person’s heart). According to NEAS, the chance of surviving an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in the region rises from 9.3% to 39.3% when a member of the public initiates CPR before an ambulance arrives.
In 2025 the Education Team worked with regional businesses and community groups — including Gateshead-based charity Peace of Mind CIO — to expand reach. External learners include both paid commercial clients (for mandatory First Aid at Work and related qualifications) and community or charity groups reached through outreach sessions at the Dukesway facility.
Karen O’Brien, Director of People & Development at NEAS, said the service is always looking for ways to equip the community with vital life‑saving skills so more residents are ready to act and save lives during an emergency.
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