BritishParamedic.org
Title
Some thoughts from the Chairman [The British Paramedic Association]
Description
Soon after the HPC was formed and the Orders in Council were approved by the Privy Council, it was required that the HPC had to liaise with professional bodies for all the professions that the registrar was responsible for. At that time the only profession not to have professional body was the Ambulance profession. Two colleagues from Essex Ambulance Service were persuaded to undertake the necessary work to set up a professional body in order to ensure that the profession would be represented and fulfill the self regulation responsibilities for standards and education. The name of British Paramedic Association was agreed at an inaugural meeting held at AMBEX in 2001. From this point the development of the BPA began. Unfortunately during its first two years the start was very slow, due mainly to the fact that the two people who worked hard to get it going had to undertake their full time roles as well.
In 2003 a formal business plan was prepared for the BPA in an effort to provide some firm direction and structure. What is important to remember here is that the Paramedic element of our profession had just been subjected to an increase in HPC fees of some 300% and that had generated significant reaction around the UK. This fact along with the lack of understanding about being a professional generally was making the attraction of members to the BPA very difficult.
The real benefits of a professional body are not always tangible. Our main areas for benefit to members lie in the philosophy that as a profession we shall work towards undertaking responsibility for our own professional future. Historically you will be aware that the standards we have worked to and the awards following training have been driven largely by the employers with significant medical support. This kind of approach had not been followed by any other registered profession from medical professions to allied health professions. Having a professional body of our own was the opportunity to change the way that education, training and associated awards are established. The prime responsibilities for the wider member benefit are:
Languages
English
Contact
- British Paramedic Association
-
- Derby Derbyshire
- United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland DE23 8GF
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- +44.1332746356
