Improving the pathways of care through clinical engagement and collaborative action.
The government has proposed the creation of Lead Clinician Groups with representatives from various disciplines to provide guidance and leadership on clinical issues. The government's discussion paper says clinician groups are being set up at a cost of $56 million in response to concerns from clinicians that they would have no voice in decisions about delivery of health care. One of their main functions will be to encourage the adoption of ‘best practice’ care at local and national levels. The groups will also give input into service planning and delivery, and encourage better integration of medical services from different sectors.
The 2.93 million incidents handled nationally in 2008-09 shows the significant impact of EMS on the community. One therefore might think that the provision of EMS and the role of paramedic practitioners would figure prominently in national healthcare reform and the development of best practice.
That’s not the case, and the almost total omission of EMS from the healthcare debate or recognition of paramedics as health professionals remains a matter of continuing concern. From a public policy perspective it is inexplicable.
The disengagement of EMS from broader healthcare policy is both counterproductive and difficult to reconcile with the community perceptions that it forms a vital component of the healthcare system. It has resulted in a relative lack of accountability through the absence of public reporting under internationally recognised healthcare oriented Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
Paramedics Australasia consistently has called for integrated delivery of health care under best practice conditions, the development of appropriate pathways of care and extended/community care models with greater involvement of relevant practitioners from the operational areas of EMS.
The government called for consultation from stakeholders by 20 February and Paramedics Australasia (then the Australasian College of Ambulance Professionals) made a submission entitled Enhancing patient outcomes: Improving the pathways of care through clinical engagement and collaborative action.
Download the full Submission here.
