| Founded | 2001 |
|---|---|
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Key people |
President: Roland Furber |
| Office location |
The Exchange, |
| Website | www.collegeofparamedics.co.uk |
The College of Paramedics, formerly the British Paramedic Association,[1] is the United Kingdom professional representative body for paramedics in the United Kingdom.[2][3] The college has representation with the Health Professions Council (the UK regulator),[4] the Department of Health, the Joint Royal Colleges Ambulance Liaison Committee.[5] and universities offering degrees in paramedic science.
Contents |
Paramedicine in the UK began with regional schemes in the 1970s and the introduction of a national course in 1985 for ‘extended care ambulance staff.’ The statutory regulator, the Health Professions Council (HPC) was formed in 2001, and as part of its remit is required to liaise with professional bodies representing each of the professions for whom it is responsible.
Paramedics were the only professional group in the initial registration to not have representation by a central body. Two members of staff from the then Essex Ambulance Service established a professional association to represent the paramedic profession and undertake the self regulation of paramedic standards and education required by the HPC. The name of 'British Paramedic Association' (BPA) was agreed at an inaugural meeting held at AMBEX in 2001.[6]
In 2009 its name was changed to the College of Paramedics. This reflected the associations ambitions to be not only the professional voice of pre-hospital ambulance clinicians, but as the driving authority for increasing sections of pre-hospital clinical care education, training, proficiency and continuous professional development.
The College of Paramedics authorises the use of the following post-nominals by full members who are on the HPC register:[1]
The college is structured around a central executive, with a national council, regional groups and representatives, intended to act as a conduit for information to and from the college. In addition, the college has appointed 'Station Champions' to represent College members at ambulance station and university level.
| Role | Incumbent |
|---|---|
| President | Roland Furber |
| Chief Executive | David Hodge |
| Chair | Prof. Andrew Newton |
| Vice-Chair | John Martin |
| Director of Finance | Will Hughes |
| Director of Professional Standards | Jim Petter |
| Director of Membership Services | Lorma Downing |
| Nation/Region | Member | Alternate Member/s |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Ireland | Lars Stuewe | Vacancy |
| Scotland | Robin Lawrenson | Jim Milligan, Ron Lilly*,Bill Halley* |
| North East | Matthew Capsey | Paul Younger* |
| North West | Steve Cremin | Jane Topham, Andy Swinburn* |
| Yorkshire | Peter Gordon Pollard | Steven Hatton |
| East Midlands | Bob Willis | Dave Roberts* |
| West Midlands | Adam Aston* | Chris Bearne, Jim Hancox* |
| East of England | Tracy Nicholls | Daniel Cody* |
| South Central | Jack Ansell | Darren Claydon* |
| London | John Donaghy | Graham Harris, Bob Fellows* |
| South East Coast | David Davis | Leigh Curtis, Andrew Sharman*(Regional Group Chair) |
| Great Western | Jim Petter | John Wood |
| South West | Adrian South | Richard Steggall |
| Independent | John Butterfield | Vacancy |
| Military | Will Hughes | Andy Hughes* |
| Student | Tony McColley | Michael Fletcher |
| * = casual appointment |
There are currently three levels of membership available within the college[7];
Whilst the College has organised many educational events in the past, it launched its first full programme of continuing professional development events in 2011. These events are held throughout the UK and assist its members to maintain and develop their professional skills and knowledge.
The College’s Council members attend many national meetings and groups each year to represent the views and interests of the Paramedic Profession. The following is an indication of the breadth of the work of the College on behalf of its members in particular and the profession in general.
Higher Education Ambulance Development Group (HEADG)