As we approach the end of another year we realise just how far the profession has progressed. Previously I have referred to the anticipated developments arising from the Urgent and Emergency Care Review and the progress that was being made with paramedic independent prescribing (PIP). We will be releasing updates in the PIP project and reflection on the College of Paramedics' Conference which was held at Warwick University in October and at which Professor Keith Willett gave a keynote presentation which underscored the increasing importance of the role of the paramedic in the modern-day delivery of unscheduled health care.
Members who attended the conference heard a wide range of presentations which reported on progress and developments in the UK. They also heard from speakers from the United States, Australia, South Africa, Austria, and Switzerland, and while it was acknowledged that the challenges are hugely similar throughout the world, there was widespread feeling among delegates that the paramedic profession in the UK is probably as far advanced as in developed countries.
‘There was widespread feeling among delegates that the paramedic profession in the UK is probably as far advanced as in developed countries’
The College has throughout 2014 continued its work on synthesising both the Paramedic Post Registration Career and Competency Framework and the Paramedic Scope of Practice Policy. These are due to be reviewed externally and following stakeholder feedback will be published and made freely available, similar to the Pre-Registration Curriculum Guidance, on the College website.
This has been linked to the on-going work of the application for Paramedic Independent Prescribing (PIP), the Paramedic Evidenced-Based Education Project (PEEP) report, with Health Education England and other appropriate stakeholders to ensure that the future paramedic professional development continues to provide patient's with safe and effective care in all aspects of urgent and emergency unscheduled care in the primary setting.
The previous publication of the College's Strategic Plan, which is a living document, sets out the general direction for the next three to five years. Within the framework of that plan, we have also recognised that with the growth in members comes the obligation to frequently review the capacity and capability of the College. We have already begun this process by having an independent health-check on our governance arrangements and appointing a temporary executive director to review the management structure and the professional advisory capability of the College.
In the past, the College has quite rightly focused on education as a key plank of the professional body's contribution to the development of paramedic practice in the UK. We now need to develop the same capacity and capability in our contribution to clinical practice and indeed have already started by establishing a working group that is reviewing airway management. We acknowledge the role that other professions and the employers have in this and other aspects of clinical practice, but it is essential that the professional body has clear positions which reflect both the available evidence and the views of paramedics. Just as we have an Education Advisory Committee and a Research and development Advisory Committee, we will establish a Clinical Advisory Committee which will be supported by subject specialists drawn from the membership.
So as we leave 2014 behind and move into another year, I firmly believe we have had another year of excellent progress and are now about to embark on a most significant redevelopment of the College's capability, capacity and role in its contribution to paramedic practice. But before saying goodbye to 2014, I extend my appreciation to the members of the Executive team, the Governing Council and the administrative staff for their ongoing commitment. And I have to give special thanks to those who have tirelessly led important projects and to the small team who have volunteered to respond to the many media requests the College receives, which are almost always at short notice and frequently involve travel and disruption to their free time.
‘We now need to develop the same capacity and capability in our contribution to clinical practice’
On behalf of the Governing Council, I extend sincere thanks to all the members of the College without whose continuing support we would be unable to achieve the progress which we now have the pleasure to report on. I wish you all a very happy Christmas and a healthy and prosperous New Year.