A BUDDING paramedic has been thrown in at the deep end in the battle against coronavirus.

Ellie Walker, who turned 21 two weeks ago, is on a three-year course to become a paramedic at Anglia Ruskin University.

The former Ramsey Academy pupil was set to begin a ten-week work placement with London Ambulance Service after finishing her first year.

Ellie, who is also a lifeguard at Halstead Leisure Centre, should have started at the Whipps Cross ambulance station at the end of March.

But her plans were put on hold after coronavirus forced the UK into lockdown.

Ellie was still eager to play her part and has now been recruited to a brand new Covid-19 department.

The unit responds to phone calls which are connected to the pandemic.

In just one week, Ellie has gone from student to being an essential worker on the frontline of the fight against the virus.

Mum Lorna said: “Within a few days of lockdown a completely new department was created at London Ambulance HQ to take the calls related to Covid-19.

“She and many other trainee paramedics were recruited and trained within that week and instantly put to work in the call centre.

“The call-handling role became necessary due to the increase in 111 calls.

“Operators were struggling and important calls needing ambulances immediately were being delayed due to the volume of calls dealt with.

“Ellie’s department was created and the students were trained to take the calls related to the Covid-19 only, to advise and if needed send an ambulance.

“This allowed the call handlers downstairs to deal with the general calls of trauma or cardiac arrest.”

Ellie is now based in Waterloo, London.

Lorna said: “She is living in the Hilton hotel for free and parking is also free.

“Food is subsidised although, because of the shifts they work, it’s not easy to obtain as there’s only a Tesco Express nearby.

“These young adults have been thrown in to a completely new role but are handling it amazingly.

“I’m immensely proud of her and she is proud to be an NHS employee.”

Ellie will return to her studies with invaluable experience, having made an important contribution to the battle against the virus with her stint in the Covid-19 response call centre, when the crisis ends.