Reviewing the standards of proficiency for paramedics

Consultation concerning the profession-specific standards of proficiency for paramedics has just closed (31 January 2014); paramedics and stakeholders (e.g. providers of education, employers, other professional bodies and those people who use the services of the paramedic) were invited to take part in the consultation process. Those who replied to the consultation exercise were asked to consider the following when making their response:

‘These standards of proficiency will provide an explanation of the essential obligations expected of registered paramedics by the Health and Care Professions Council’

The consultation concerned proposed changes that are to be made to the profession-specific standards of proficiency for paramedics. These standards of proficiency will provide an explanation of the essential obligations expected of registered paramedics by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and ultimately the public—the HCPC are required by law to set standards in order to protect the public. Other standards of proficiency for other professions are also in the process of being reviewed. This review of the standards of proficiency has provided paramedics and others with an opportunity to ensure that they are relevant to the profession, ensuring the standards are appropriate for contemporary practice (they will need to be fit for purpose), that they reflect statutory changes (and there have been many changes from a statutory perspective) and are applicable to the practising paramedic.