Prescribing for advanced Paramedics
The concept of prescribing by paramedics has become more of an intense debate for some time as the expectation of the profession, the NHS and indeed of patients is to get treatment in the most appropriate place and in the most appropriate way.
This is an important development for the profession and as the work continues your views and responses will be important.
The Department of Health has begun work to look at the potential for extending prescribing responsibilities for advanced paramedic practitioners. This is based on the text within ambulance review "Taking health care to the patient" which states that 'prescribing responsibilities should be actively explored'. This document can be found using the following link:
The Department is currently at the early stages of looking at the issue, but is expected to consult stakeholders via a formal 12 week consultation process. A date has not yet been given for this.
The decision on whether advanced paramedic practitioners will be able to prescribe will be made by the Commission for Human Medicine. The issue of paramedic prescribing is likely to be the subject of much discussion in the months to come.
As a professional body we shall be included in the process and further information will be published on the web site as it emerges.
Fri, 9th January 2009