MELBOURNE, Australia — The Australian government agreed to include paramedics in the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme Nov. 6.
The national scheme will protect the integrity of properly trained and competent paramedics, and safeguard public confidence in their professionalism.
“A national registration scheme is vital for patient safety and ensures the high skills and training of our hard-working paramedics receive the recognition it deserves,” said Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Jill Hennessy.
Paramedics will join dentists, medical practitioners, nurses, midwives, occupational therapists, optometrists, osteopaths, pharmacists, physiotherapists, podiatrists, psychologists, chiropractors, Chinese medicine practitioners and aboriginal and Torres Strait islander health practitioners in the national scheme.
The requirement for registration will provide assurance to the community that the services they receive from paramedics are delivered by people who not only have the right training and experience, but are bound by professional standards.
The community will be protected by establishing qualifications and professional requirements for entry to practice as a paramedic, and regulating the profession of paramedics under the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme.
Australian paramedics have been calling for professional standards and registration for some time, and the agreement will help protect their integrity and ensure public confidence.