Vol. 542 No. 5
278 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will make a statement on the plan to create a new grade of ambulance paramedic who would be able to administer drugs to patients; and if he has received such a proposal from the pre-hospital emergency care council. [24874/01]
The pre-hospital emergency care council has developed proposals for the creation of an emergency medical technician advanced grade, EMT-A. The council has identified a core group of drugs to be used by EMT-As. These proposals will require clarification of the legal position in the administration of drugs by EMT-As in defined clinical circumstances. As a first step, the council has recommended a feasibility study to explore the clinical, operational and managerial issues arising from the introduction of such a service. The proposals are being examined by my Department and will be the subject of further discussion with the council in the near future.
