Kim Malkin and Robert Hopkinson from the Angels Initiative, presenting the Diamond status Angels Award to staff in Darwin.
St John NT staff across the Northern Territory have received international recognition for the quality of stroke care they provide, with the Top End, Central and Big Rivers service regions recognised through the 2026 World Stroke Organization (WSO) EMS Angels Awards.
The Top End achieved Diamond status, the highest level of recognition available through the international awards program and one achieved by only three operational ambulance service regions in Australia in 2026.
Central and Big Rivers were also recognised through the program, reflecting the standard of stroke care being delivered across the Territory.
The awards recognise ambulance services that measure, monitor and continually improve the quality of stroke care delivered before a patient reaches hospital.
Performance is assessed across key areas including rapid stroke assessment, hospital pre-notification, transport to stroke-ready hospitals, documentation of critical clinical information and minimising avoidable delays in care.
Stroke is a time-critical medical emergency, with nearly two million brain cells lost every minute a stroke remains untreated.
St John NT CEO Abigail Trewin AM said the recognition was a credit to paramedics and clinical teams across the Territory.
“These awards recognise the standard of stroke care our paramedics are providing across the Northern Territory,” Ms Trewin said.
“Our teams are identifying stroke, alerting hospitals early and getting patients to the right care as quickly as possible, often across significant distances.
“For the Top End to achieve Diamond status, alongside recognition for Central and Big Rivers, is a significant achievement for our people.”
Paramedics are often the first healthcare professionals to assess someone experiencing stroke. Early recognition, rapid decision-making and timely communication with receiving hospitals can help specialist stroke teams prepare before a patient arrives.
Kim Malkin, Stroke Care Program Manager for the Angels Initiative in Australia, said the results reflected strong stroke systems across the Territory.
“Having three St John NT regions recognised is a significant achievement,” Ms Malkin said.
“Diamond status represents the highest level of performance recognised through the WSO Angels EMS Awards, while the recognition of Central and Big Rivers demonstrates a strong commitment to consistent, evidence-based stroke care.
“Delivering that standard of care across vast distances and diverse communities is a credit to the teams involved.”
The public is encouraged to remember the F.A.S.T. signs of stroke:
Face – Has their mouth drooped?
Arms – Can they lift both arms?
Speech – Is their speech slurred or difficult to understand?
Time – Call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
“If you think someone may be having a stroke, call Triple Zero immediately. Early recognition and rapid access to care can make a life-changing difference,” Ms Trewin added.
Angels Initiative representatives, Kim Malkin and Robert Hopkinson, presenting the Platinum status Angels Award to staff in Darwin.
