HealtH Matters 37
AmbulAnce ServiceS
last year the National ambulance
service College opened a second campus
in Ballinalsoe, Co Galway to facilitate an
unprecedented increase in the number
of paramedic students. to date 138
students have successfully completed
their first year of training and are now
working as paramedic interns, throughout
the county. On successful completion
of their internship these interns will be
awarded a Diploma from UCD and will be
eligible to join the Paramedic register and
apply for full time employment within the
National ambulance service. a further 45
paramedic students are at a number of
stages in their first year of training.
the challenge of Being a solo responDer
Developments arounD the Keith Mullane (above) is an advanced is deciding whether to travel with certain
country paramedic working via a Rapid patients. For example if a patient had a
Developments around the country give Response Vehicle (RRV) in North previous seizure and is being transported
an indication of how the investment in Tipperary. He outlines his role with the to the nearest appropriate hospital do
training is contributing to the continual Ambulance Service here. you travel in case they have a repeat
transformation of the service. teams “Being a solo responder is challenging seizure and leave your area without als
of advanced paramedics are being as you are always conscious of what lies for a time?
introduced in the north east, mid west ahead when attending a call before an the advanced Paramedic on the
and west Cork, six new intern paramedics ambulance Crew. rrV is the senior clinician and ultimately
are to be deployed in the west, a national the introduction of the advanced the decision rests with him/ her on
neonatal transport programme is now Paramedic Programme has been a huge the patient’s treatment, management
conducting more than 300 critical care milestone in the history of the ambulance and what receiving hospital is most
transports a year and in the midlands service. the programme has propelled our suitable. this can only happen with both
the service has been accredited as an service into a vital position within the acute Paramedic and advanced Paramedic
emergency medical dispatch centre care and primary care spheres within the working towards the same goal - what
of excellence. Pre Hospital and Hospital setting. is best for the patient? I have to say the
the main function of the advanced Paramedics in the area of North tipperary
Paramedic is to provide advanced life are exceptional at achieving this and
support (als) to patients. the role of the working with them on a serious job is
Paramedic has been extended to deal truly satisfying.
with acute common emergencies such as the advanced Paramedic role is
shortness of breath, diabetes and seizures. becoming more recognised within the
this in turn will improve the quality of care workings of services such as shannon
being provided to the patients we attend. Doc which has been requesting the
One of the main challenges facing an attendance of the aP on certain calls.
advanced Paramedic operating a rapid this improves the professionalism of both
response Vehicle is getting to calls within doctor and ambulance service which
your area as soon as possible. as we are again is beneficial to the patients’ care in
covering North tipperary, I may find myself terms of an integrated healthcare solution.
at one side of it and a call may come in We are currently licensed to give
from the other side and you have to try to 26 prescription medicines with that
get there in a safe and timely fashion. this number to double in the near future. the
does add certain pressures especially if challenges facing advanced Paramedics
a paramedic crew are in attendance and operating rrVs are constantly changing
require advanced life support. another but I feel we have skills and knowledge to
challenge facing the advanced Paramedic meet those challenges head on.
health matters is 4.indd 37 28/11/2009 16:06:22
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