Ambulance UK August 2022

EDITOR’S COMMENT
EDITOR’S COMMENT
July 8th saw the first International Paramedic Day. Social media saw Paramedics
of all persuasions take to the threads and celebrate their roles in healthcare.
Arguably the day could have been more inclusive, to include those who work with
Paramedics, such as Ambulance Care Assistants, Emergency Care Technicians
etc. Nevertheless, the day showcased just how far the profession has come in
the 40 years or so since Professor Douglas Chamberlain first introduced the
Paramedic role to Brighton.
AMBULANCE UK - AUGUST
“So whatever
their role or
employer,
International
Paramedics
Day was a
chance to
celebrate
the success
of the role
over the last
forty years.
Here’s looking
forward to the
next forty!”
In those early days the Paramedics were taught to intubate and defi brillate cardiac arrest cases. The
roles and skillsets now available to Paramedics would have been inconceivable during those early days
of paramedicine. Within the traditional ambulance role, we have seen a huge increase in the scope and
responsibility of Paramedics. This had led to Paramedics being utilised in other settings, both within and
outside of ambulance trusts. Now there is barely an area of healthcare where Paramedics do not have a
part to play.
This is great for the profession; Paramedics are no longer limited to ambulance roles, or even ambulance
trusts. We now regularly see Paramedics move through various roles and employers throughout their career.
The downside to this, from some perspectives is that ambulance trusts lose a lot of their experienced
paramedics to other employers. This can be frustrating for those of us trying to develop teams; just as you
think you’ve got a settled team, someone else takes an opportunity from another trust, or employer. There is
absolutely nothing wrong with this: people should take the opportunities when they present themselves. In
fact, we have probably been in a unique position in the past, where people would spend their entire career
in one trust, often doing the same job and even at the same station. Having a more mobile workforce is
something we just need to expect and adjust for. At the same time, we need to ensure that people have
opportunities within the ambulance to advance and progress, so that we encourage people to stay.
So whatever their role or employer, International Paramedics Day was a chance to celebrate the success of
the role over the last forty years. Here’s looking forward to the next forty!
Dr Matt House, Co-Editor Ambulance UK
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