In a message dated 23/01/99 15:07:30 GMT Standard Time, [log in to unmask]
writes:
<< I suppose I too as a non NHS employee could be
called a bogus paramedic and sued if the title is protected. What are the
options outwith the NHS? >>
I had exactly the same conversation with Jel yesterday. If someone needs a
little more than a First Aider then we find Mr. Public Person asking for a
Paramedic. 'Call the Paramedic' has replaced the phrase 'Call an Ambulance' to
a great degree. To the public there is no middle line. You're either a First
Aider (try explaining that you're neither SJAB nor BRC!!) or a 'Paramedic'.
In our company we cover ACLS, Manual Defib, IV cannulation & Fluid therapy as
well as all the 'basic' ambulance stuff ~ spinal management etc. All the
courses attended are bought from the NHS to ensure quality, and we are steered
by a Medical Advisor from within the NHS itself. We never profess to the level
of training of NHSTD personnel, but we need to infer more than First aid /
Ambulanceman.
If / when the title 'Paramedic' becomes protected we will be on stoney ground
and probably lose out on a lot of work. The HSE guide to Health, Safety &
Welfare at Pop Festivals and Similar Events is exacting in it's definition of
Paramedic. (This book also, however, says that First Aider is someone
qualified through SJAB, Red Cross or St. Andrews, and forgets that there are
many other Accredited Bodies who can teach and qualify in First Aid at Work).
There could be a 'rank structure' introduced, but that would be impossible to
police. The American EMT~D or EMT~P ranking could be something that we could
adopt in order to indicate extended training of staff. I intend to contact the
Faculty of Pre~Hospital Care at RCS in Edinborough to pick their brains on
this.
I think the NHSTD Paramedic should, MUST, be protected asap ~ but please don't
forget us!! Any other thoughts?
Keith Foster (Who does Ambulancy things to quite a good standard really)
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