College of Paramedics

The College of Paramedics is the recognised professional body for paramedics in the United Kingdom. The role of the College is to promote and develop the paramedic profession across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The College represents the paramedic profession across key organisations such as the UK regulator – Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), the Department of Health and the Joint Royal Colleges Ambulance Liaison Committee (JRCALC).
History.
Paramedicine in the UK began with regional schemes in the 1970s, the AEMT oversaw examinations and registration. A pass rate of 5% due to the wide syllabus and negatively marked high standards prevented the NHS from adopting the scheme, it would have cost too much and taken too long. Individuals had been self funding up to then and using days off as well as leave to undertake hospital training. The NHS introduced a national course in 1986 for 'extended care ambulance staff.' Existing Paramedics sat a conversion examination in November 1986 with the first certificates being awarded alphabetically. Courses began in the following year. The introduction of professional national registration of paramedics in 2000 led to a demand for the formation of a new professional body.
Paramedics were the only professional group in the initial registration to not have clear representation by a central professional body. Two members of staff from the then Essex Ambulance Service (Stephen Dolphin and Richard Lane) established a professional association to represent the paramedic profession and undertake the self-regulation of paramedic standards and education required by the HPC. The name of British Paramedic Association (BPA) was agreed at an inaugural meeting held at AMBEX in 2001. In 2009 the organisation's name was changed to the College of Paramedics. This reflected the association's ambitions to be the professional voice of pre-hospital ambulance clinicians, and also to act as the driving authority for increasing the quality of prehospital clinical care education, training, proficiency and continuous professional development.
In November 2015 the College announced that they had been awarded registered charity status. In June 2017 the College had a total membership of 12,700 – around 35% of registered UK Paramedics. Full details of the College's history can be found on their website.
College governance.
The Board of Trustees is appointed to ensure the College serves the interests of its members and the paramedic profession. It is responsible for the governance, oversight of business and the setting of the strategic direction for the profession.
The Board of Trustees comprises elected members known as Representative Trustees and Trustee Officials. Representative Trustees represent either a region in England or the home nations of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and also the independent, student and military groups. Trustee Officials include the Chair, Deputy Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer and Trustees for Education, Professional Practice and Communications.
The Board of Trustees is supported by an Executive Team and staff, including the Chief Executive, the National Education Lead, the Head of Professional Development, the Research Lead, the Head of Administration and the Marketing Manager.
Membership.
There are three levels of membership available within the College of Paramedics:
Post-nominals and fellowships.
The College of Paramedics authorises the use of the following post-nominals by members:
Publications.
The college has published policy, including;
The College of Paramedics are active participants of a range of groups, including the Joint Royal College Ambulance Liaison Committee and the AACE Clinical Practice Guidelines. The College is also a member of the Royal College of Physicians hosted Intercollegiate Stroke Working Party and Guidelines Development Group, leading the pre-hospital guidelines development sub-group. The College has been the key partner in the development of the Professional Guidance on the Content of Ambulance Clinical Records.
Representation.
The College represents the views and interests of the paramedic profession on various groups: