Larrey Society supports paramedic law change
Wednesday, 06 May, 2015
Members of The Larrey Society, the cross sector “think tank” for emergency medical services support the proposed change in the law to introduce independent prescribing by paramedics across the United Kingdom, it was announced today (6 May)
The members, who work in NHS, independent and voluntary ambulance services, were polled on the issue and there was an overwhelming endorsement for it.
“The only caveats were that paramedics should be given advance education and training and be appropriately recompensed” said David Davis, the Society’s Founder.
The proposal is designed to make better use of paramedics' skills, in providing highly responsive services across the UK that deliver care as close to home as possible for patients with urgent care needs.
The need for highly skilled paramedics with the ability to “see and treat” more patients at the scene was highlighted by NHS England in a report in 2013 which envisaged the development of NHS ambulance services into community-based mobile urgent treatment services. This vision requires the Paramedic profession to have appropriate prescribing responsibilities and access to medicines to enable timely treatment and even better care for patients - first time and in the right place.
NHS England is currently conducting a consultation, which closes on 22 May, on the proposal with support from the College of Paramedics, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the Department of Health, the Northern Ireland Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, the Scottish Department of Health and Social Care and the Welsh Department of Health and Social Services.
The proposal is being taken forward as part of the AHP Medicines Project under the Chief Allied Health Professions Officer within NHS England.
The full independent prescribing by paramedics’ consultation and all relevant documents can be accessed via the NHS England website.
