PHECC Community Paramedicine Report

Ireland is currently going through a health transition moving from hospital centric care to primary care. The Sláintecare Report is the strategic framework which is guiding this transition. Community Paramedicine provides community-centered healthcare services that bridge primary care and emergency care and undertake expanded roles such as health promotion and disease/injury prevention. The genesis of Community Paramedicine lies with the provision of health care to under-served communities filling healthcare service gaps. The intention of Community Paramedic in an Irish context is to work collaboratively with other partners in health to bring the right care to the right patient in a home setting. 

The pilot Community Paramedicine programme, under the auspices of Co-Operation and Working Together (CAWT), has received excellent reports from the participants and experiences garnered during this important project, and will help to inform developments in this area. Engagement with key stakeholders will form a central pillar of further developments.

The Medical Advisory Committee of PHECC established a working group to compile a report to be considered by the MAC and presented to the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council. The subsequent report was presented to Council and the recommendations within were approved in August 2020. 

‘The introduction of Community Paramedicine into Ireland’ report is now available and will form the groundwork for the development of a Community Paramedic Standard and Implementation Plan. The work of the MAC subcommittee will continue under the Chair of Dr. Tomás Barry with the aim of progressing developments in this important area.

Feedback on the report is welcomed and a feedback form is available here.