The role of the paramedic within the NHS unscheduled care agenda relates to direct urgent or emergency patient care. In context to paramedics, it is directly about urgent care and emergency care, both types of care requiring assessments and planned interventions. (Making connections with the challenges of unscheduled care, 2012). Paramedics have the duty when called out to assess all aspects of the patient, from their called complaint to their social history. Paramedics must take everything into consideration in order to effectively implant a planned intervention to prevent an emergency which will require immediate care or assistance in the near future. After assessing patients, paramedics have to make the critical decision to admit patients to a hospital, to refer them to other health services or to leave them at home, but they must have valid and strong evidence to support that decision. (Paramedic Scope of Practice Policy, 2017). The main role is to go through efficient triage and thorough examinations in order to provide a pre-hospital temporary treatment which c
an also be a planned intervention. The Scope of Practice Policy published by the College of Paramedics describes the paramedic role as a role where paramedics holistically assess, and if required treat and manage service users presenting with physical or mental health complaints; either as the result of injury, illness, or an exacerbation of a chronic illness. (Paramedic – Scope of Practice Policy, 2017). They are the first clinical or healthcare professionals that a member of the public will come into contact with, therefore policies and procedures have been set in place by paramedic regulatory bodies such as the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), College of Paramedics which are also known as the British Paramedic Association and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). These bodies provide guidance and support to ambulance services, so every student and qualified paramedic is able to safely provide care to patients, be able to use the correct techniques and necessary equipment effectively to holistically support members of the public.