Emergency Care Practitioners (ECPs)
Emergency Care Practitioners (ECPs) are derived from experienced registered healthcare professionals. Currently the majority of practicing ECPs have a Paramedic or Nursing background. These experienced professionals then embark upon an extensive training and educational package at degree or masters level to develop into highly skilled autonomous practitioners.
Their scope of practice includes but is not limited to:
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Minor injury and illness including advanced wound care
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Advanced assessment and diagnostics
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Complex medical problems
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Chronic disease management
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Emergency life support
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Traumatic injury and falls
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Prescribing/dispensing medications
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Social assessment
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Specialty referrals
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Health promotion and advice
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The role of ECPs can be deployed in a variety of ways, examples include working in GP surgeries, conducting home and community visits, providing care in Minor Injuries Units, supporting prison healthcare workers and delivering Out of Hours services.
The ECPs benefit to both patients and health trusts is supported by recent government documents. The Bradley report (DOH 2005) depicts the changes that must take place within emergency and unscheduled care to realise the vision of taking healthcare to the patient.
The number of ECPs continues to grow within Ambulance Services and NHS Primary Care Trusts, providing optimum care at first point of contact in a timely and cost effective manner. The government predicts ECP numbers to grow to 5000 within the next few years.
If you are an Emergency Care Practitioner and are interested in joining the Hallam Medical team click here for more information. |
