College of Paramedics Conference in 16 Tweets

Matt Green @MLG1611

On the 8th and 9th of March, the College of Paramedics (@ParamedicsUK) held their 2016 conference

in York. Around 140 attended; predominantly NHS paramedics but student paramedics, emergency

medical technicians and one very keen person who is trying to get into the ambulance service was

using the conference to build their CV!

The biggest strength of the conference was networking opportunities with colleagues from around

the UK; some really great programmes are happening to improve patient care around the country

and want to share their success. For example, I learnt about a dedicated cardiac arrest response

service in Edinburgh achieving remarkable results and this will improve my knowledge and

understanding despite working over 300 miles away.

Twitter featured very heavily throughout the conference, using the hashtag #ParaConference16 so

below is a tweet to sum up each presentation…

Inaugural Mark Bloch Lecture

Professor Andy Newton

“Professor Andy Newton discussing the changing emphasis of the paramedic and the Career

Framework of the COP” @AndyJonesCOP

Paramedics Perceptions of caring for people who Self Harm: An evolved grounded theory

Nigel Rees (@NigRees1973) - Head of Research & Innovation, Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust

“Ethically and morally we don’t feel supported by law in decision making for self harm patients”

@Auntymelon

College of Paramedics AGM

“AGM time for @ParamedicsUK. Now represent >30% of @The_HCPC registrants, has charitable

status, PEEP report & prescribing” @medic914

Walking the Walk – it’s not enough

Paul Gowens (@PaulGowens) - National Clinical Advisor, Scottish Government Health and Social

Care Directorate

“Leadership is situation dependent, understand your role don’t get situation precious!”

The benefits of end-tidal Co2 monitoring in non-cardiac arrest patients: A pre-hospital perspective

Keiran Bellis (@KeiranMBellis), North West Ambulance Service

“ETCO2 used to differentiate between cardiac/resp conditions enables better mgmt….incl

hyperventilation/neuro/anaphylaxis” @JStreetUK

Mentally Healthy

David Davis FcPara (@DavidDPara), NHS 111 Workforce National Clinical Lead, NHS England

“Rate of mental illness in paramedics 3.3 times higher than general population” @ParaJon82

The clinical holding of children: Do Paramedics need professional guidance

Chris Preston (@medic992), Advanced Paramedic Practitioner, North West Ambulance Service

“Holding children for any procedure should only be done as a last resort” @ChrisCPritchard

Teaching new dogs old tricks: integrating advanced skills into a paramedic-led air ambulance unit

John McKenzie (@MyOtherCarIsaTVR), HEMS Paramedic, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air

Ambulance

“Advanced analgesia in use by Paramedics on @LNAACT: Ketamine, Midaz and Flumazenil”

@medic914

To PEEP or not to PEEP - That is the question

Patrick Mitchell (, Director of National Programmes - Health Education England

“More paramedics, higher entry qualifications, increased career progression and more options

outside trad ambulance services. Thoughts from PEEP” @mcclg

Improving clinical outcomes and hitting targets - Are they mutually exclusive?

Dr Dave Macklin - Executive Director of Operations - Yorkshire Ambulance Service

“More than ever, an important role in paramedic practice is patient advocacy” @FloBach

Professional Discipline – Friend or Foe?

Andrea James (@HealthRedLawyer), Partner, Shoosmiths LLP

“Fitness to practice on the regional CPD agenda? ALL registrants need greater awareness”

@WilBroughton

Prevention is better than cure - Do paramedics have a role in public health?

Linda Hindle (@HindleLinda) - Lead AHP - Public Health England

“Fire Police Ambulance are health assets that can contribute to public health but need consensus

about moving forward” @TeesParamedic

Improving pre-hospital care of patients suffering adrenal crisis

Karl Charlton, Research Paramedic, North East Ambulance Service

“Even simple self-limiting illnesses can be fatal in those with adrenal insufficiency” @ChrisJ999

Partnership working and collaboration: Enhancing patient care in Northern Ireland

Ciaran McKenna, Northern Ireland Paramedic

“In Northern Ireland, 20,000 999 calls each year for older people who fall” @MLG1611

Identifying pre-hospital factors which influence outcome for major trauma patients in a regional

network: an exploratory study

Lee Thompson (@PHKiTPara), Senior Paramedic (Trauma), North East Ambulance Service

“Average major trauma victim is 38 yr old man” @medicalexwalter

College of Paramedics Executive Questions and Answer Panel

[On topic of College activity around paramedic retirement age] “How many paramedics reach

retirement age? Studies show high mortality” @Richki55

Other activities at the conference were stalls by Penthrox, Zoll, Capita, Physiocontrol, Corpuls,

Yorkshire Ambulance Service, MedicNow and Openhouse among many others plus a gala dinner

with live music.

Details of next year’s conference are yet to be announced, but if you value your profession and have

a passion for paramedic development, I can strongly recommend going along and getting involved.