Hi Matthew
I thank you for your e-mail. I am aware of some of the moves afoot and it
very exciting. The benefits to patients will be really good and I will
support these programmes with as much energy as I can muster.
I am indeed moving to another service (West Country Ambulance) who are
already doing practitioners. Unfortunatley all my achievements and respect
that I have gained over 16 years or so within my current service will have
to be re-forged. Until then I, among many others, will be 'normal'
paramedics and not have the powers to treat and leave, refer on etc - it is
a bit frustrating. Hoh Hum!!
again, thanks for the reply
Mike
----- Original Message -----
From: "Dunn Matthew Dr. (RJC) ACCIDENT & EMERGENCY - SwarkHosp-TR"
<[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, January 30, 2003 9:23 AM
Subject: Re: [ACAD-AE-MED] Quick way to cut down waiting times in minors
> > Is unconscious or not breathing
> > Has a penetrating injury to the neck, chest, abdomen or thigh
> > Has had a severe allergic reaction
> > Has uncontrolled bleeding
> > Is having an asthma attack unresponsive to medication
> > Has severe chest pain
> > Is choking
> > Is fitting (if this is unusual)
> > Has gynaecological bleeding other than menstrual
> > Has taken an overdose
> > Is alcohol intoxicated and under 17 years of age
> > Has been submerged in water for more than 1 minute
> > Has fallen more than 10 feet
> > The above is what should be the criteria for calling and
> > ambulance (ref West Country Ambulance Service web site flyer).
> > I would love to have the power to be able to say to people
> > have very minor illness' to go and see their GP. At present I
> > strongly advise them they should seek GP intervention but am
> > unable to say "you must...".
> > Unfortunately most people call us out in the first place
> > because they are unable to access their GPs in a time frame
> > which the patient expects and see the A&E dept an easy option.
>
> This is changing- with the processes being put in place as I write. If
I've
> got my figures right, Warwickshire ambulance service currently conveys
about
> 75% of their calls and is looking to drop this further to around 50% (I
know
> a couple of members of this list are fairly heavily involved in this and
> will have more details). If everything goes according to plan, Paramedic
> practitioners will be able to treat of refer to other services rather than
> conveying; and there will be more robust triage of calls (i.e. some calls
> will get advice; some referred to GP or district nurse; some brought to GP
> out of hours- or given an appointment- rather than A and E etc.). So
> (possibly with further training) you will be able to achieve your aims,
> Mike. (Might have to switch counties, though ;-))
>
> Matt Dunn
>
>
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