PHECC REGISTER (Proposed)

   

  
     
 
Why do we need a Register?

Membership of a statutory health care register is a mark of quality. If you are a member of a statutory register it is a quality assurance for members of the public and it is a mark of professionalism among other health care professions. Membership of a statutory register clearly indicates that the member has met the academic requirements necessary to practice; and that they comply with a Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics and are willing to account for their activities. The PHECC Register moves the EMS profession in Ireland onto a new plain. By joining the PHECC Register, pre-hospital emergency care practitioners are taking their rightful place alongside other health care professionals.

Precedence for Register

Professional registers are standard in all established health care professions. Examples of current statutory health care professional registers in operation in Ireland are:
  • Medical Council (Doctors)
  • An Board Altranais (Nurses)
  • Pharmaceutical Society (Pharmacists)
  • Dental Council (Dentists)
  • Opticians Board (Opticians)

What about the Allied Health Care Professionals?

The Health and Social Care Professionals Bill 2004 was introduced last October. This legislation makes provision for statutory registration for allied health care professions. The twelve professions currently included under this Bill are:

  • Chiropodists
  • Clinical Biochemists
  • Dietitians Registration
  • Medical Scientists
  • Occupational Therapists
  • Orthoptists

  
  • Physiotherapists
  • Psychologists
  • Radiographers
  • Social Care Workers
  • Social Workers
  • Speech and Language Therapists

For additional information in relation to this Bill, please consult: www.irishstatutebook.ie

Is this a New Idea?

In the June 2002 edition of the PHECC Newsletter initial proposals in relation to a Register were first outlined (see website www.phecc.ie)

Levels on the PHECC Register

There is a place for every existing pre-hospital emergency care practitioner in Ireland on the PHECC Register. Levels currently authorised by statute are:

Emergency Medical Technician (NQEMT)
Paramedic (NQEMT)
Advanced Paramedic (NQEMT)

Under Consideration

Emergency Medical First Responders (EMFR’s), Controllers, Medical Practitioner

PHECC Authority/Legal Basis

The authority for PHECC to operate a Statutory Register for pre-hospital emergency care providers comes from:
  • SI 109/2000 – PHECC Establishment Order “Maintaining a record of holders of NQEMT”
  • SI 575/2004- PHECC Amendment Order “establish and maintain, in accordance with rules made by the Council, a register of pre-hospital emergency care practitioners”


 
     
   
I never completed a PHECC exam and don’t have an N.Q.E.M.T. qualification?

SI 575/2004, the PHECC Amendment Order makes provision for PHECC to assess the equivalence of professional qualifications and award an N.Q.E.M.T. qualification.

  


This means that PHECC can assess the training of existing pre-hospital emergency care practitioners in conjunction with their relevant employment history or exposure. This evaluation combined with the individual’s willingness to “sign up to” the PHECC Register and all that that entails can be used to assess the case for making an award of N.Q.E.M.T. and thereby qualifying individuals.

 
     
   

How much will this cost?

Council has yet to agree an appropriate registration fee. It is acknowledged that the fee will never cover the operational running costs of administrating a register. A sum in the region

  

of €10 per annum has been suggested as it is not intended that the registration fee issue would be an obstacle to joining the register.

 
     
   
Self-Declaration?

Applicants must make a formal declaration to assure PHECC that:

They are currently practicing, or have recently practiced as an Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Practitioner and give details of their employment
  • They have no relevant criminal conviction (any offence which would preclude an individual securing employment within the health sector)
  • They have no health condition or addiction that could affect their fitness to practice.

 
     
   

Professional Commitment/Undertaking

Specific Emphasis in this commitment will clearly outline explicit undertakings to fully comply with;
  • completion of Patient Care Reports
  • practice only in according with their status on the PHECC Register
  • Continuing Professional Development requirements
  • comply with Fitness to Practice rules and procedures
  • mentor or coach trainees