Advanced paramedics push boundaries to care for the capital

Advanced paramedics at London Ambulance Service are celebrating their 10^th anniversary, a decade in which the specialist team has given patients life-saving treatment and care that otherwise would only be attempted in hospital by doctors.

These highly skilled and highly qualified paramedics are sent to patients with the most life-threatening illnesses or injuries across the capital. And it is now 10 years since the first ever patient was cared for by an Advanced Paramedic Practitioner in Critical Care, a pioneering clinical role created role in London.

“We are pushing the boundaries for what paramedics can do on the roadside or in people’s homes, including surgical procedures and realigning broken bones. We carry specialist equipment and medicine which is in addition to those carried by ambulance crews and can be life-changing for our patients.”

Advanced Paramedic, Samantha Margetts.

Advanced paramedics work alone in fast response cars and are most commonly sent to patients in cardiac arrest to support ambulance crews support ambulance crews care for the sickest patients bringing their additional skills and experience.

They are also called to patients with traumatic injuries, those who have been in traffic accidents, victims of assault or significant sports injuries.

When the team was first set up in 2014, there were 12 advanced paramedics. There are now 40, with three clinical supervisors and a clinical development manager. As well as responding to patients night and day, one advanced paramedic is always on duty in the London Ambulance Service control room listening to 999 calls.

From the control room, they decide which patients might need the life-saving care of a critical care paramedic. They can also provide advice to crews on the road.

“We have the opportunity to make a real difference to a lot of patients and their families, and a lot of crews. But we could not do our job without all the ambulance crews on scene – we are a team.”

After the success of the critical care paramedics, London Ambulance Service introduced Advanced Paramedic Practitioners in Urgent Care. They aim to treat patients at home for less serious injuries and illnesses; chronic and complex conditions; or patients who are frail, elderly or nearing the end of their life.

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