A question to all our medical and paramedical collegues
As a member of the VAS (first aid, AED, 'medical gas', ambulance aid)
treating a casualty on or off a public duty I am quite willing to seek
advice from, and pass a patient to a more qualified person, however
given the recent press on bogus paramedics / doctors and a minority of
'dodgy' private companies how do I know if I am passing to a
professional or a fake?
Are there questions we should ask of private companies (with whom we
share some duties) to check their status and qualifications and skill?
If someone claims to be a doctor and wants to examine a casualty how can
we be sure they are genuine - is there any ID (I guess BASICS medics
would carry one) or PIN number we can take for further 'come back' -
should we get an address etc?
If I pass a casualty to a 'paramedic' company in whom I am not confident
do I have any liability for any ill treatment (should I 'stop and fight'
and call the 999 ambulance service?
No disrespect to the reputable private paramedics out there - it's a
case of bad apples I'm afraid.
Ian Davies
VAS volunteer and trainer
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