Professional body

[Guest guest]

Happy New to all,

I have been toying with an idea over the festive break and now want to see

how you lot feel.

There has been mention and debate of a representative body for remote medics

and given the diversity of roles, skills and geography this could prove a

difficulty. However if we where to find an organisation who could provide a

standard of qualification, would this improve the matter.

What I had in mind was an approach to The Royal College of Surgeons of

Edinburgh and see what could be done. This may involve a new faculty or an

extension to the existing pre-hospital care group. A further development

would be a diploma course for those wishing to widen their minds (and maybe

wallets). The course would have to cater for the geography of the students

and would probably then require some form of local centres for exams and

tuition and probably some form of distance learning option.

Obviously the syllabus would need putting together, topic areas welcome from

you guys. The structure of the course would also require thought. Would it

be all compulsory or would there be a number of optional modules. How much

of the syllabus would be relevant to theoretical or practical examination.

Professor Wallace has told me that he has a colleague who is an expert in

remote medicine. We also have a number of telemedical experts and a retained

WHO consultant in acute care medicine.

Given the open-mindedness of the College, I think we would at least be given

an introduction.

Ideas anyone?

Ross

Editor and co-owner

RemoteMedics Online

ross@...

www.remotemedics.co.uk

[Guest guest]

Hi Ross,

I agree with you that medics do need a professional body, but this has been

tried before with no real success. Hope we can get something soon as the

'ambulance chaser' law suits seem to be coming our way very quickly! (just

watch the adverts on the TV for a start!)

My own feeling is that the problem in the UK is the diversity of what

qualifications we all have

Here are my own feelings on a solution - not perfect but a starting point!

All medics needs to have a governing body (as in the UKCC, GMC etc)

This should be a compulsory body that regulates registration & training

standards for all 'British Employed' medics.

It could cover the common protocols with a blanket indemnity insurance, set

a code of practice & give out disciplinary measures as seen fit, - again

like the UKCC do (did!) for the Nursing profession.

Benefits gained would include a national recognition through a professional

body, so as if an employer wants to know what standard you have reached,

then the proof of registration from the governing body could be given

The national standards would be made by grouping different disciplines &

qualifications in to levels or giving credit points to show levels of

competence/training on their qualifications course content

for example - offshore medics get so many points,

ACLS/ALS/PHTLS ticket holders some more points for each cert held,

ambulance techs/paramedics another set of points

military medics another set of points.

It would have the added benefit of the fire service/St s/Red Cross/St

s/RNLI/RSLSA/HSE FAAW (etc etc ) being able to say what their

qualifications mean set against each others.

As you do more training you gain more points, & move up a level, this way

when a person leaves the military or offshore environment - their training

is nationally recognised against a set scale.

this would also work the other way if overseas medics come to the UK then

their qualifications could be assessed & given a set level before being

accepted for say offshore medic/diver medic/..... training instead of the

training schools making the decision as at the moment.

this is just a rough draft of quickly scribbled ideas - but food for

thought....

Just ideas like you that hve been floating in my Gray matter for a while....

its a bit wordy but you'll get the gist!

Best wishes for a peaceful new year

.

Medical Centre

Ninian Northern Platform

01224 242000 ext. North 250/299