Delay in upskilling paramedics

A CRUCIAL training programme to upskill paramedics has been delayed in the south and west because of health cut backs.

The training, which would allow paramedics administer a range of new drugs and carry out medical interventions to best international standards, is designed to improve pre-hospital care for patients.

But the scheme, recommended to have been completed by last March, has been stalled by the swathe of cutbacks announced midweek by the Government.

The scheme has already been rolled out to all paramedics working in the Dublin Fire Brigade, the Health Service Executive (HSE) East and the HSE South East.

It was delivered to about 20 of the 200 paramedics based in Cork and Kerry in recent months.

However belt-tightening means it will not be available to the rest of the paramedics in the HSE South or in the Mid-West.

The training programme was designed by the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) — the independent agency responsible for training and standards in pre-hospital emergency care.

The HSE is responsible for implementing it.

The upskilling allows paramedics administer medications, including;

salbutomal for people suffering an asthma attack;

glucacon shots for people in diabetic shock;

and adrenaline for people in anaphylactic shock.

PHECC deputy director, Barry O’Sullivan, said he has received several complaints from paramedics working in the south about the delay.

“PHECC is the standards’ body and we have set the standards for all pre-hospital care practitioners,” he said.

“The new standard means more access to more medications and interventions which will eventually mean better patient care.

“We have requested all service providers, both statutory and private, to implement this upskilling programme.

“We are aware that the implementation of the training programme will take time and we have requested all service providers to implement the upskilling as soon as possible.

He also said newly-qualified paramedics are being trained to the new standard.

But they can only complete their internships with paramedics who have completed the upskilling.

The HSE South and MidWest could soon find themselves in a position where they are unable to find suitably-trained paramedics to fulfil that role.

A HSE spokesperson said the upskilling course has not been cancelled but has been deferred until later this year when additional funding has been secured.

“Paramedics are already very highly-trained and currently provide a professional and efficient service,” she said. “The ambulance service is committed to ensuring all paramedics undergo regular upskilling and, to this end, will provide the training as necessary.”