- College of Paramedics
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College of Paramedics 
Founded 2001 Country United Kingdom Key people President: Roland Furber
Vice-Chair: John Martin
Chair: Prof. Andrew NewtonOffice location The Exchange,
UK
Express Park,
Bristol Road,
Bridgwater.
TA6 4RRWebsite www.collegeofparamedics.co.uk The College of Paramedics, formerly the British Paramedic Association,[1] is the United Kingdom professional representative body for paramedics in the United Kingdom.[2][3] The college has representation with the Health Professions Council (the UK regulator),[4] the Department of Health, the Joint Royal Colleges Ambulance Liaison Committee.[5] and universities offering degrees in paramedic science.
Contents
History
Paramedicine in the UK began with regional schemes in the 1970s and the introduction of a national course in 1985 for ‘extended care ambulance staff.’ The statutory regulator, the Health Professions Council (HPC) was formed in 2001, and as part of its remit is required to liaise with professional bodies representing each of the professions for whom it is responsible.
Paramedics were the only professional group in the initial registration to not have representation by a central body. Two members of staff from the then Essex Ambulance Service established a professional association to represent the paramedic profession and undertake the self regulation of paramedic standards and education required by the HPC. The name of 'British Paramedic Association' (BPA) was agreed at an inaugural meeting held at AMBEX in 2001.[6]
In 2009 its name was changed to the College of Paramedics. This reflected the associations ambitions to be not only the professional voice of pre-hospital ambulance clinicians, but as the driving authority for increasing sections of pre-hospital clinical care education, training, proficiency and continuous professional development.
Post-Nominals
The College of Paramedics authorises the use of the following post-nominals by full members who are on the HPC register:[1]
- MCPara - Member of the College of Paramedics[2]
- FCPara - Fellow of the College of Paramedics (Fellowships are awarded by the Governing Council of the College)
College Structure and current incumbents
The college is structured around a central executive, with a national council, regional groups and representatives, intended to act as a conduit for information to and from the college. In addition, the college has appointed 'Station Champions' to represent College members at ambulance station and university level.
Executive
Role Incumbent President Roland Furber Chief Executive David Hodge Chair Prof. Andrew Newton Vice-Chair John Martin Director of Finance Will Hughes Director of Professional Standards Jim Petter Director of Membership Services Lorma Downing Council
Nation/Region Member Alternate Member/s Northern Ireland Lars Stuewe Vacancy Scotland Robin Lawrenson Jim Milligan, Ron Lilly*,Bill Halley* North East Matthew Capsey Paul Younger* North West Steve Cremin Jane Topham, Andy Swinburn* Yorkshire Peter Gordon Pollard Steven Hatton East Midlands Bob Willis Dave Roberts* West Midlands Adam Aston* Chris Bearne, Jim Hancox* East of England Tracy Nicholls Daniel Cody* South Central Jack Ansell Darren Claydon* London John Donaghy Graham Harris, Bob Fellows* South East Coast David Davis Leigh Curtis, Andrew Sharman*(Regional Group Chair) Great Western Jim Petter John Wood South West Adrian South Richard Steggall Independent John Butterfield Vacancy Military Will Hughes Andy Hughes* Student Tony McColley Michael Fletcher * = casual appointment Membership
There are currently three levels of membership available within the college[7];
- Full - available to Paramedics (Registered with the HPC).
- Student - available to those who are currently undertaking an Health Professions Council approved course leading to eligibility to apply to the register.
- Associate - available to anyone with an interest in the furtherance of the aims of the College, the ambulance professional and pre-hospital care including technicians holding an IHCD certificate.
Member Training
Whilst the College has organised many educational events in the past, it launched its first full programme of continuing professional development events in 2011. These events are held throughout the UK and assist its members to maintain and develop their professional skills and knowledge.
Representation
The College’s Council members attend many national meetings and groups each year to represent the views and interests of the Paramedic Profession. The following is an indication of the breadth of the work of the College on behalf of its members in particular and the profession in general.
Higher Education Ambulance Development Group (HEADG)
- Joint Royal College Ambulance Liaison Committee (JRCALC)
- JRCALC Clinical Guidelines Group
- UK Stroke Forum
- Allied Health Professions Federation (AHPF)
- Department of Health
- Ambulance Workforce Forum
- Connecting for Health (CfH)
- National Ambulance Education & Development Forum
- Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine
- Ambulance Infection Control Group
- Health Professions Council (HPC)
- The Trauma Care Council
- The National Ambulance Research Steering Group
- The Faculty of Pre-hospital Care (RCSEd) Board
- The 999 EMS Research Forum Board
- Cardiovascular, Stroke and Vascular Specialist Collections of NHS Evidence (formerly the National Electronic Library for Health)
- United Kingdom Pre-hospital Sepsis Working Party (Surviving Sepsis campaign)
- National Governance Group for NHS Pathways
- 999 EMS Research Forum Board
- Faculty of Pre-hospital Care (RCSEd)
- Curriculum Advisory Group to the Inter-collegiate Board for the sub-speciality of pre-hospital care
See also
- Julia Williams
- Paramedics in the United Kingdom
- JRCALC
External links
References
- ^ "Web Links for Paramedic Studies". Liverpool John Moores University. http://www.ljmu.ac.uk/lea/100995.htm.
- ^ "Allied health profession disciplines". Department of Health. http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Aboutus/Chiefprofessionalofficers/Chiefhealthprofessionsofficer/DH_075030.
- ^ "The Need for a Professional Body for UK Paramedics". Journal of Emergency Primary Health Care 4 (1). 2006. http://www.jephc.com/uploads/990158.pdf.
- ^ "About Registration - Professions - Paramedic". Health Professions Council. http://www.hpc-uk.org/aboutregistration/professions/index.asp?id=10#profDetails.
- ^ "Main Committee Members". Joint Royal Colleges Ambulance Liaison Committee. http://jrcalc.org.uk/committees_main_members.html.
- ^ British Paramedic Association http://www.britishparamedic.org/aboutbpa/
- ^ CoP 2007 Constitution http://www.britishparamedic.org/cons2007/Mems_%26_Arts_for_College_approved_AGM_June_2007.pdf
Categories:- Professional associations based in the United Kingdom
- Paramedics
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