Innovation at Spalding medical centre where paramedics are qualified to prescribe medicines to patients

A team of paramedics based at Spalding’s Munro Medical Centre are now equipped with new skills to help patients.

Elaine Wyatt, James Wareham and Chris McGregor are among the first paramedics in the country to be qualified to prescribe medicines to patients.

All three qualified as Advanced Paramedic Practitioners after the Government changed the law to allow independent prescribers to work in the NHS with effect from April 1, 2018.

Lisa Jones, the surgery’s operations manager, said: “We have created a model to ensure that our health and care services are developed around the needs of our patients as the NHS evolves. “Our GP contract has highlighted the requirement for practices to develop the primary care team further by diversifying, introducing a variety of skill sets and maximising their potential.

“At Munro, that is just what we are doing by taking the innovative step of introducing paramedics into our primary care team.

“This commenced with James, our Lead Advanced Paramedic Practitioner who joined us in 2016, pioneering our model for paramedics who are now embedded within our primary care team, working alongside GPs, nurses and complex care managers.

“We have received extremely positive feedback from our patient population who are more than happy to be reviewed by our paramedics as they understand their roles.

“Medicine and primary care are evolving rapidly and I am proud to say that our paramedics are the first cohort that we are aware of who have completed their prescribing course at Anglia Ruskin University.

“In addition, James also undertook a course in minor surgery which will enable us to maintain services within Munro, resulting in shorter waiting times and more availability for our patients which, in turn, is promoting our ‘Better Health Together’ ethos.”

The surgery’s senior practice partner, Dr Graham Wheatley, said: “We are incredibly proud of the hard work, determination and success of our colleagues in this team.”

Pictured with Elaine, James (front) and Chris (back second right) are fellow paramedics Paul Walton and David Stafford, (back left and right), lead practice partner Dr Graham Wheatley (back centre) and operations manager Lisa Jones. Photo (TIM WILSON): SG-180319-005TW