A recent commentary published in the February 2011 edition of the Annals of Emergency Medicine (volume 57, number 2) has reinforced the role of EMS to improve patient outcomes through coordinated out-of-hospital care and emphasised a continued need to provide real evidence through ongoing research activities to support the profession. View the article here: Commentary.

The comment is made in response to a publication from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration titled EMS Makes a Difference: Improved Clinical Outcomes and Downstream Healthcare Savings. A position statement of the National EMS Advisory Council. This report can be viewed here: Position Statement

In November 2010, the Australian Health Workforce Ministerial Council (AHWMC) agreed that a national consultation should be undertaken to consider whether there is a need for strengthened regulatory protections for consumers who use the services of unregistered health practitioners.

You may be aware that the Australasian College of Ambulance Professionals (ACAP), which is the parent body for SPA, have been considering a name change recently; you may have even had the opportunity to complete the survey and share your opinion. The attached document outlines SPA's official position on what the new name should be and our reasons for this. It might seem insignificant at first, but the name of an organisation like ACAP is, in fact, very important. It provides the first impression a person gets of us and what we do, and subtle differences can convey very different meanings. Read the linked pdf for more information.

On Friday the 25th of February an EGM (Extraordinary General Meeting) will be held by ACAP members to adopt a constitutional change in name recommended by the ACAP board after long consideration and strategic evaluation. At this meeting members are asked to support a change in name of the professional body (currently Australasian College of Ambulance Professionals) to Paramedics Australasia. As SPA members you are entitled to a vote. If you cannot attend you have the option of a proxy vote. This decision is important in representing you in future to the community and other stakeholders as paramedics. Please read SPA's position on the name change and then print out the proxy voting form, fill in your details and your vote and mail it to the address at the bottom of the form to reach the Secretary before the 21st of February.

SPA's position on the ACAP name change.

Proxy voting form.