Paramedic prescribing: a potion for success or a bitter pill to swallow?
Griffin, Dylan
Griffin, Dylan
Citations
Altmetric:
Journal Title
Book Title
Publication Volume
Publication Issue
Publication Begin Page
Publication End Page
Publication Number of Pages
DOI
Abstract
Abstract published with permission.
In a climate of unprecedented demand on healthcare services, ageing
demographics, population growth through immigration, a reduction in junior
doctors’ working hours, and overriding political agendas, the need to develop
innovative new roles and expand the scope of practice for existing practitioners,
including paramedics, is paramount if the NHS is to maintain resilience in an
evolving healthcare system. Recent legislative changes now permit chiropodists/
podiatrists and physiotherapists to independently prescribe, further fuelling other
allied health professions (AHPs), such as paramedics’ and radiographers’ desire
to become future independent prescribers. Implementation has the potential to
enhance patient/clinician experiences through improved access to medicines, and
would significantly reduce the need for multi-disciplinary involvement per care
episode, yielding cost-efficiency savings through reduced ambulance journeys,
fewer avoidable admissions, further augmenting patient care delivery. Paramedic
independent prescribing (PIP) would also elicit improved inter-professional
collaboration, enhance employability and promote professional autonomy in
evolving advanced practice roles. Such innovation requires legislative changes,
but remains paramount if paramedics are to actively contribute towards tackling
the increasing burden of unprecedented demand, limited resources, and ongoing
commitment to achieve cost-efficiency savings within the modern NHS.