THERE are two very different sides to Vincent Childerly – indeed, in many ways, he is a classic case of east meets west.

On one hand, as a paramedic, the 46-year-old regularly uses his knowledge of modern medicine to treat casualties.

On the other, he is a practising acupuncturist and open to traditional therapies which more often then not find their roots in the Orient.

“I don’t use the physical skills as an acupuncturist in the Ambulance, but one of the skills that you do learn as an acupuncturist is a way of being with a patient and accepting them,” the said.

“There are all sorts of emotional issues as well.

We believe there is a connection between the whole thing.”

In truth, the presence of complementary medicine in Vincent’s own life goes much further back than the ambulance service.

Raised in Berkshire, he came to the West Midlands Ambulance Service 20 years ago and currently works out of Ross-on-Wye.

But a childhood interest in martial arts in turn led to a fascination with all things ‘chi’ that never really left him.

Now, after three years at Oxford Brookes University, it is finally part of his working week.

“It does give me a different perspective on health,” Vincent says.

“There are so many people around with all sorts of things which don’t quite need intervention, that are not bad enough for surgery, and it is possible to treat a lot of these conditions.”

These days he spends up to three days a week in an ambulance and a further two as Wye Valley Acupuncture.

But, while Vincent might find both ends of the spectrum are easily reconciled, what do his medical colleagues make of the unusual combination?

“There is a lot of interest in the medical community that I work with - in fact, the majority of my patients are colleagues and friends,” he said.

“The old attitudes are dying out and there is definitely a more open one in its place.”.