More advanced paramedics to ease A&E pressure

New draft guidance from NICE is recommending the NHS provides more advanced paramedic practitioners (APPs) to relieve pressure on emergency departments.

Evidence reveals that APPs, who are able to treat patients in the community, can reduce hospital admissions by 13 per cent compared with standard paramedics, while research has previously suggested that for each APP, the NHS can save up to £72,000 a year.

APPs can also administer stronger pain relief compared with standard paramedics and are able to assess if a wound need stitches.

As part of wider recommendations about emergency and acute medical services, NICE has expressed support for NHS England’s Five Year Forward View, encouraging providing nurse-led support within the community for people who are at risk of hospital admission and daily consultant review of patients admitted with a medical emergency.

In total, there are 23 practice recommendations and 17 recommendations for more research, such as whether having GPs working in or near emergency departments can help reduce hospital admissions.

Professor Julian Bion, chair of the NICE guideline committee, said: “It is essential we spend what money we have wisely, investing in areas where we’ll see a real improvement in care for everyone. Increasing the number of advanced paramedics we have working across the country is one way we can achieve this. Their skills and expertise can help to ease pressure on emergency departments and ensure patients are cared for in the most appropriate location.”

Professor Mark Baker, director of the centre for guidelines at NICE, added: “This draft guidance features recommendations that seek to standardise best practice across our emergency and acute medical services. It also highlights where we need more evidence to properly assess what should be done to get the most from the limited resources we have.”