Paramedic Registration is coming to NZ in 2020 and when it arrives not all "Paramedics" will be able to call themselves a "Registered Paramedic". This is going to significantly change the face of the private medical provider sector. We will see a number of people currently labeling themselves as "Paramedics" disappear as they simply won't get through the registration process. They don't have the qualifications, nor the skills.
New Zealand's emergency ambulance service is significantly self-regulated already. Both of New Zealand's front-line emergency Ambulance providers have well established processes and guidelines in place as they are already audited against NZS8156, so current front-line Paramedics will all automatically be grandfathered into Registration when it is introduced in 2020 (note: only Paramedics, not lower levels of Ambulance Officer at this time eg EMT, EMA).
Effective regulation of Paramedics will ensure any private event medical services sector offering Paramedic level of care will also be able to maintain patient confidence and trust through Paramedic Registration. NZS8156 (Ambulance, Paramedicine and Patient Transfer Services Standard) will have more meaning as it is currently a voluntary standard. By having regulation of Paramedics the public can be assured that clinical Best Practice is being followed. NZS8156 will add another layer by ensuring strict clinical, ethical, cultural, resources/equipment, governance and management processes are in place. With constant audit against those standards, the public will have assurance that the "Paramedics" being contracted in are clinically capable of providing appropriate care, and that they are suitably resourced and supported to carry out their skills.
A question that I have been asked many times by event organisers. Just how do you ensure that the Medics you are contracting in for your event are legitimate?
As covered above, currently there is no such thing as a "Registered Paramedic". There is also no requirement for private event medical service providers to comply with the Standard (NZS8156). As ridiculous as it might seem, the Standard is voluntary. This leaves it wide open for those with a skewed moral compass to portray themselves as something they may not necessarily be. How do you know the Paramedics you have hired are actually capable Paramedics and can deliver that level of care?
The first thing to get clear is that no matter how qualified and experienced the Paramedic is, if they don't have the equipment and medications to match their skill, they can't deliver that level of care. It's package deal. They don't have healing hands so without it they are simply First Aiders.
So there are some simple questions to ask when making inquiries and any genuine provider will be happy you asked!
Download the Form below to send with your quote request. Get their reply via email so there is no doubt about what they are promising to deliver. Then just back that up on the day of the event with some simple checks...check ID to establish each team members Practice level and have a quick look at their equipment to see that it matches your expectation.
Some tips to make sure you're getting what you think you're getting : Checks to make when asking for a quote (download form to send):
1: Do they have a Medical Director? A Medical Director provides clinical guidance and issues Authority to Practice to personnel
2: Do they use the current National Clinical Procedures and Guidelines (CPGs) and do their Paramedics have an Authority to Practice at the level specified by the guidelines?
( The National CPGs were developed by the National Ambulance Sector Clinical Working Group (Ambulance New Zealand) to ensure safe and consistent care of all patients. There are some medications that are not really required in the Event setting and are not always carried by event paramedics. It would be pretty unusual to have to treat a septic patient at a Pony Club event for example, so it is reasonable to edit the list to be appropriate for that setting. Medics On Scene lists all skills and medications for each level in our T & Cs and highlight those that are not normally carried)
3: What is their qualification? The term "Paramedic" is defined in NZS8156 with a qualification requirement of BHSc degree, level 7 (Bachelor of Health Science - Paramedicine). There are older Paramedics with a National Diploma in Ambulance (Paramedic) or a NZ Intermediate Care Certificate. Look for how they maintain their level of practice, how current are their skills?
4: Do they have relevant equipment, resources and medications to be able to provide the level of care they are promising? eg 12-lead ECG capability, Intraosseous access (EZ-IO or NIO), laryngoscopy.
5: Do they have relevant insurances (Public liability, professional indemnity)?
6: Do personnel carry Identification showing Practice level, police vetting date and relevant contact details for verification?
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The Paramedic Regulation Advisory website is up and running, so keep an eye open for updates...