Paramedics will soon be able to prescribe some medication to patients, Health Minister Simeon Brown announced today.
Brown said the move aimed to reduce the pressure on emergency departments and will enable people to be treated in their homes and local communities.
Under the changes, paramedics will be able to prescribe from a list of specified medicines, which is yet to be confirmed but is currently under consultation.
The types of medications included in this initiative could include pain-relief medications, infection medications, urgent-care medications, and potentially controlled drugs.
Paramedics will be required to undergo training, developed by the Paramedic Council, to be considered qualified to prescribe.
The minister said the current system is outdated and no longer reflected the roles of paramedics.
“While paramedics are best known for their work in ambulances and rescue helicopters, they are increasingly delivering care in people’s homes, aged residential care settings, and communities with limited access to healthcare.
"Currently, paramedics rely on standing orders from authorised prescribers, meaning they can administer certain medicines but cannot prescribe them.
The Minister said this will be especially beneficial for residents of places that require easier access to healthcare.
“Giving paramedics the ability to prescribe medicines will enable them to provide more complete care when it is clinically appropriate, rather than transferring patients elsewhere, such as an emergency department, solely to obtain a prescription. This will be particularly beneficial for people living in rural and remote areas.
Brown said: “These changes will help reduce pressure on emergency departments and hospitals, support more care in the community, and ensure patients receive the treatment they need sooner”.
SHARE ME