WELCOME TO PARAMEDIC PRESCRIBING RESEARCH

This research study is a mixed methods investigation into paramedic independent prescribing in emergency and urgent care. It is being undertaken by Adam Bedson who is a specialist paramedic for South Western Ambulance Service. Adam is completing this study for a PhD in Health Sciences at the University of Southampton. Adam is being supervised by Professor Sue Latter and Dr Joanne Turnbull. The study is being funded through an NIHR Clinical Doctoral Research Fellowship.

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Adam Bedson, Clinical Doctoral Research Fellow, (NIHR302127) is funded by Health Education England (HEE) / National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) for this research project. The views expressed on this site and in any related publications/outputs are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NIHR, NHS or the UK Department of Health and Social Care.

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Background to Paramedic Prescribing and Aims of our Study

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Paramedics can now complete significant extra training to develop into advanced paramedics. This enables them to diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions. They provide care to patients in a range of NHS settings, such as ambulance services, out of hours urgent care settings and emergency departments.

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Following changes to the law in 2019, advanced paramedics can now prescribe medication to patients, once they have completed an independent prescribing course.

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For a more detailed overview of paramedic prescribing and its introduction, please visit the NHS England website: https://www.england.nhs.uk/ahp/med-project/paramedics

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It is hoped that the introduction of independent prescribing will enable paramedics to deliver better care to patients and manage a wider range of conditions. However, very little research has been carried out to investigate current paramedic prescribing work and practices and to establish if and how it is benefiting patients and healthcare services, or if there are any problems with this. For example, paramedics adopting prescribing appear to have a wide range of different experience and education. It is not yet clear if this impacts on their prescribing. Paramedics are also not currently allowed to prescribe certain medications (known as controlled drugs), which include strong pain killers and sedatives. These are often needed in emergency and urgent care.

This study will investigate how paramedic prescribing is currently being used in ambulance services, urgent care settings and emergency departments. This will evaluate if and how it enables advanced paramedics to provide better patient care and improve NHS services.

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Design and methods

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We will use a range of research methods in this study - Following a review of relevant literature, experts and NHS leaders will be interviewed to explore their views about paramedic prescribing. 

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Case studies (a detailed study) will then be undertaken in an emergency department, an out of hours urgent care setting and an ambulance service in the South West of England. At each site, data will be collected about the range of medications prescribed and the types of conditions treated. Advanced paramedics will be observed as they see patients and prescribe medication. 

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Sharing the findings of the research 

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The findings of this research will be published in journals and presented at national research conferences. They will also be made available on this study website and on social media. A summary will also be written for the College of Paramedics to inform policies, guidelines and further research regarding paramedic prescribing. This will enable improvements to be made which in turn will benefit patient care.

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Patient and Public Engagement and Involvement (PPEI)

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Regular advice has sought during the development of the study, from a group of representatives who have experience in ambulance research PPEI.

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We will continue to work with this PPEI group but have also recruited an additional PPEI group who have experience in receiving care from a prescribing paramedic. 

We will meet regularly with our PPEI members, to ask for their advice and feedback on important aspects of the research. This includes seeking their advice on observing patient care during the research. Input from PPEI members will be important when designing this website and sharing the research findings with patients and the public. An experienced patient representative has also agreed to participate in the study management meetings to provide advice and feedback.

We continue to welcome expressions of interest in joining our patient and public involvement and engagement group, please see the PPEI section for more information and details on how to get involved!