References
Preparing pregistration students for lifelong learning and practice
Abstract
In 2020, five Scottish Universities were contracted to deliver BSc Paramedic Science in partnership with regional NHS health boards and the Scottish Ambulance Service. Each university developed their practice-based learning curriculum in their distinct geographical region. Due to the differing needs of each region, the five programmes had similar aims and constraints in delivery but little alignment. A short-life working group was formed of members from each university to develop a national practice assessment document (PAD). The aim was to develop a document that could be used by all five universities and allow for alignment in this core area of preregistration education. This article will describe this process and how this work has gone on to shape work by the College of Paramedics in developing a UK-wide portfolio of practice-based learning (PPBL).
Paramedic education in Scotland has historically, been vocationally driven through the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS), from Institute of Healthcare Development (IHCD) training through to the DipHE Paramedic Practice, which was delivered in collaboration with Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU). However, with the development of the consultation by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) (2017) on entry level to the register, the first full-time undergraduate degree was approved and commenced delivery in September 2017 at GCU. Following the confirmation of degree-level entry from September 2021 to the register (HCPC, 2018), it was understood that there would be a potential gap, where the number of paramedics qualifying in Scotland, and potentially entering employment with SAS, would be reduced. Therefore, NHS Education Scotland (NES), in collaboration with SAS and the Scottish Government, commissioned delivery of BSc Paramedic Science programmes by a further four higher education institutions (HEIs) with balanced geographical spread:
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