Introduction
Minister of State, Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I would like to thank the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) for inviting me here tonight to launch the Emergency Medical Technician - Advanced (EMT-A) Programme for the Ambulance Service.
The Council plays a key role in establishing standards of practice and qualifications for staff in the pre-hospital emergency medical services. I applaud its work and compliment its members who have worked very effectively to develop new programmes and activities. including this new training programme.
The launch of the EMT-A programme tonight represents an important milestone in the continuing development of pre-hospital care services. The enhancement of the skills base of our ambulance personnel is designed to enhance the level of service to patients who require emergency treatment.
The Council has been working closely with my Department over recent months on the roll-out of this initiative and particularly on the regulatory changes required to allow for the introduction of the EMT-A programme. Considerable preparatory work has already been completed in this regard. The regulatory changes identified are necessary to allow EMTs to administer cardiac and other appropriate medications in the prehospital setting. These changes are being progressed as a priority by my Department in conjunction with the Council.
In parallel with this examination the Council has been working with the National Ambulance Training School, under its Director, Macartan Hughes, in co-operation with the Department of General Practice at University College Dublin, under Professor Gerard Bury. on the development of the EMT-A training programme.
Government Policy and Developments
The Government is committed to the development of emergency medical services in line with the recommendations of a number of important reviews including:
- The 1993 Report of the Review Group on the Ambulance Service:
- The 1999 Cardiovascular Health Strategy
- The 2001 Strategic Review of the Ambulance Service.
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In line with their key recommendations, there have been significant developments in the ambulance service in recent years including:
- A major upgrading in training and standards.
- The equipping of emergency ambulances with defibrillators and the training of ambulance personnel in their use.
- The development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) which draw on current best evidence in key areas of concern to those working in the emergency ambulance service.
- Progress in upgrading the ambulance fleet and equipment, and
- Improvements in communication equipment and control facilities.
As a consequence, the emergency ambulance service is now better equipped to provide a high level of service to patients.
My Department will continue to work with the Council and with the health boards to pursue policy initiatives. such as the EMT-A programme, in order to ensure that those calling on the ambulance service receive timely and appropriate care.
Conclusion
In conclusion I would like to thank the Chairman and members of the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council for inviting me to launch this new programme tonight.
In particular. I wish to record my appreciation for the invaluable work undertaken by the Council under the Chairmanship of Paul Robinson. I would also like to pay tribute to the management team and staff of the Council for their excellent work and to acknowledge inparticular the efforts of the Council's Director, Dr Geoff King, and his Deputy, Mr Barry O'Sullivan, who have been very much to the fore in advancing the work of the Council.
I would like to compliment everyone involved in progressing this important initiative and I wish you every success in your continuing work in the ongoing development of standards in the pre-hospital care setting.
Thank you and it is my very great pleasure to formally launch the Emergency Medical Technician - Advanced programme.
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