Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 February 2024
44. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health his Department's plans for the role out of the community paramedics position within the Ambulance Service; the impact they can make on casualty admissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9412/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE National Ambulance Service (NAS) utilises a range of different practitioner grades to deliver a broad range of prehospital services. This includes Emergency Medical Technician, Paramedic, Advanced Paramedic and Specialist Community Paramedic. Training for staff in the NAS at basic and specialist levels is generally undertaken at the NAS College in partnership with academic partners.
Due to the changing demographics and the clinical needs of an ageing population, the NAS in collaboration with the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) are developing a number of practice frameworks which will guide the future direction of NAS specialist prehospital care. This includes community paramedicine as a form of community-based health care, in which paramedics respond to low acuity calls outside of their normal emergency response role to facilitate more appropriate use of emergency response resources.
I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy with any further pertinent information it may have in this matter, as soon as possible.
