An Cosantóir

in focus | 9 Advanced Medicare BY WESLEY BOURKE PHOTOS BY CPL NOEL COSS Medical care both on and off the battlefield is constantly evolving. New techniques, technologies, and medicines, mean that those in the medical profession have to keep up to date with the best international practise. In recent years there is a higher standard of care provided pre-hospital. To achieve this Para- medics are being taken to the next level. It is envisaged that every ambulance will have an Advanced Paramedic onboard. When an am- bulance arrives at a scene or some- one's home care can now be given on location. This in turn will take pressure off Accident & Emergency units. The Advanced Paramedic will literally bridge the gap between the Paramedic and the Doctor. The Defence Forces currently has five Paramedic students training to become Advanced Paramedics. The course which is run by UCD and coordinated via the National Am- bulance Training School in St Marys Hospital, Phoenix Park. "The whole way in which we treat people is changing. The Advanced Paramedics are going to be respon- sible for admitting, discharging, and treatment all in your home," explained Coy Sgt Dave O'Connor, "If you have a patient who just needs an IV that can now be done in the house. There is no need to have them on a trolley in A&E. This is why A&Es around the country can close because the Advanced Paramedics are there." The DF medical teams are made up of Combat Medics, Paramedics, Nurses and Doctors. In the military the need for Advanced Paramedics is even more prevalent. If a soldier is wounded in combat he may be some distance from a hospital or medical facility. It will be up to the Advanced Paramedic to help keep the soldier alive. "With the introduc- tion of Advanced Paramedics this means we can give an injured soldier greater care," said Coy Sgt O'Connor, "It will also mean we will now be on a par with other militaries around the world which are now using Ad- vanced Paramedics. We will be able to stabilise, give the necessary drugs keeping the patient alive until the person can be brought to a medical facility. This will make a huge differ- ence for us overseas." The course is a graduate Diploma in Emergency Medical Science and is run by UCD School of Medicine & Medical Science. The principal aim of the Paramedic course is to provide the level of training and education necessary for modern emergency medical care providers to become confident and effective practitioners in the pre-hospital environment. This course aims to focus on the application of a sound theoretical base to develop the student's clini- cal decision making abilities and to develop sound techniques of patient assessment and clinical care. The course also serves as a foundation for further professional study within the service. All photos taken in the National Ambulance Training School St. Mary's Hospital Phoenix Park. (L/R): Coy Sgt Dave O'Connor (2 Med Coy), Cpl Hugh Swan (1 Med Coy), L/S Steven Deagan (NS), Sgt Adrian Killroy (4 Med Coy), Cpl Michelle Brarmley (Mil Hosp DFTC). THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE

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