The College of Paramedics is drawing members’ attention to the recent changes to the Health and Care Professions Council's standards of conduct, performance and ethics.

In its latest update, the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), has updated six of its 10 standards which make up its ethical framework.

The HCPC has also released updated guidance on social media use with all changes coming into force from 1 September 2024.

The following standards have been updated:

• Promote and protect the interests of service users and carers
• Communicate appropriately and effectively
• Work within the limits of your knowledge and skills
• Manage risk
• Report concerns about safety 
• Be open when thing go wrong

Updates centre around five distinct themes - communication, duty of candour, upskilling and training responsibilities, managing existing health conditions and disabilities in the workplace, and equality, diversity and inclusion.

The College welcomes the following addition to standard 7 that requires registrants to report concerns about safety. Sub standard 7.5 says;

You must raise concerns regarding colleagues if you witness bullying, harassment or intimidation of a service user, carer or another colleague. This should be done following the relevant procedures within your practice or organisation and maintaining the safety of all involved.

The HCPC ethical framework outlines how registrants are expected to behave. The HCPC registers all 14 allied health professions, and paramedics must be registered with them in order to practise.

Responsibility lies with registrants 

Bernie O'Reilly, chief executive and registrar at the HCPC, emphasised that it is every registrant's responsibility to revise the new updated standards.

"It is every registrant’s responsibility to make sure they are familiar with the changes to the standards and guidance on social media and continue to meet them," he said. "We have worked closely with stakeholders, such as yourself, in both the development of the standards and guidance, and in the promotion of the changes to registrants."

"We would urge everyone to make sure that their members or colleagues are aware of the updates, and thereby help us embed these revised standards."

The HCPC has published resources regarding the changes on its website, which you can access here.

"The revisions make the standards clearer and more relevant to current practice," Mr O'Reilly continued. "I have no doubt that they will support all our registrants, to conduct themselves with professionalism and pride every day."

NHS England have today announced the launch of new telephone mental health support available via NHS 111. The College welcomes this single point of access support from trained mental health professionals for those experiencing mental health crisis. However, we believe that further funding and investment into welfare and psychological services are vital to ensure timely specialist mental health care is available to all patients who need it.

Daren Mochrie QAM, Chair of the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE) and Chief Executive Officer of North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust, will be leaving both roles to take up a new high-profile senior ambulance role abroad in December 2024. 

Anna Parry, Managing Director of AACE said: “Daren assumed the AACE chair role in August 2020 at a particularly challenging time for ambulance services with the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic and the high-profile performance pressures that continue to be exacerbated by hospital handover delays. In addition, he had to lead the sector through widespread NHS industrial action including within ambulance services. During this time, he has been an inspirational leader playing a key role in the ongoing development of AACE, ensuring the voice of the ambulance sector is clearly heard in the media, and engaging with the most senior stakeholders, including government ministers and organisations such as the Royal Foundation. We are extremely grateful for the commitment he has shown in the AACE chair role and wish Daren all the very best for the next exciting chapter in his career.”
 
Outgoing AACE Chair Daren Mochrie QAM said: “I joined the NHS at sixteen years old and have given over 36 years of service, 33 of which have been in the ambulance sector, but never in my wildest dreams did I think I would leave the UK NHS as chief executive officer of North West Ambulance Service and chair of AACE. It has been a privilege to lead AACE and I will leave with mixed emotions, but it feels like the right time to go and explore new opportunities for myself and my family and to leave NWAS and AACE in the best possible shape.” 

AACE will now begin work to identify a suitable successor via its standard chair election process and will ensure a smooth transition to the new arrangements. 

Yesterday, Tracy Nicholls, Chief Executive, and Mandy Powell, Policy & Public Affairs Manager, met with Mike Nesbitt, Minister for Health, Northern Ireland to discuss Paramedics in Northern Ireland and the role the profession can have in supporting plans to support the recovery of Health services aligning to his initiatives and vision for the future of health and social care across Northern Ireland. Tracy said “The Minister was very generous with his time and we covered a lot of ground on the opportunity for paramedics to contribute to the future of the recovery and transformation aligned to his vision.” 

The meeting was part of our policy engagement work, which included meetings with our Paramedic Council Rep in Northern Ireland, Jacqueline O'Neill, the Chief Allied Health Professions Officer in Northern Ireland, Michelle Tennyson, and visits to Antrim and Ballymena Ambulance Stations.  Thank you to everyone who turned up to share their experiences and to James and Damien for their expert facilitation. 

We are deeply saddened and concerned by the recent attacks against our communities across the UK over recent days. These mindless acts of violence and the discrimination they show have no place in our society.  We recognise that many of you will have been affected, either by your role in attending the impact of such violence, or who may be feeling deeply anxious about how this manifests, both within your workplace, and personally.  We would remind you that everyone has the right to feel safe at their place of work and we know that there is universal condemnation across all employers on this matter.

It was only last week that we came together in sorrow as the tragedy unfolded in Southport and we are all disgusted by the behaviour that does nothing to honour the memory of those young and innocent children, for whom our thoughts remain with their families. 

We stand in solidarity with all those affected and reaffirm our commitment to fostering an inclusive and respectful environment for everyone. Our strength lies in our diversity, and it is crucial that we come together to support one another during these challenging times. We urge everyone to promote understanding, kindness, and unity, and to reject all forms of hatred and intolerance.

We know that you are working at the sharp end of this violence and that you continue to maintain the utmost respect and professionalism when dealing with such behaviour, but we are all human and recognise the anxiety and concern that you may be feeling during this time.

Please do report any incidents of hatred or racism that you may encounter, and know that confidential, independent emotional support can be reached at The Ambulance Staff Charity.

We commend you, that you continue to provide an enormously valuable service to our communities – which are your communities too. We will work collectively to ensure that every individual, regardless of their background, feels safe and valued in our communities of practice. Please do look after one another – now, more than ever. 


We at the College of Paramedics Diversity Steering Group, wanted to formally recognise the difficulties that all paramedics are facing in the midst of the far-right violent disorder.

We further recognise that some of our paramedic colleagues may be more impacted by the actions of a vocal minority and therefore wish to extend our support and solidarity to those affected. We are your allies, your colleagues, your friends and your green family, and we see and hear you 

As you know, the College of Paramedics was granted the Charter of Incorporation by His Majesty King Charles III in February of this year.

But the Charter did not come into legal effect until the Great Seal was affixed to the vellum copy by the Crown Office at the House of Lords.

We are now delighted to inform you that, on July 9, 2024, the Great Seal was affixed and the College of Paramedics was established through the signing and sealing of a Royal Charter of Incorporation.

Chief Executive of the College of Paramedics, Tracy Nicholls OBE said:
“I am delighted we have been able to achieve this on behalf of our members, and to strengthen the College for the future. Gaining the Royal Charter is the first step towards being granted the title ‘Royal’ but our journey to increase leadership and development across our profession has a solid foundation for future chartered titles and more scope for development of paramedics.”

President of the College of Paramedics, Jon Price said:
“I am extremely proud that the College of Paramedics has received this level of recognition and I’d like to say a special thank you to all those people who have given their time and effort over the last 20 years to develop the College into the organisation it is today.”

The Royal Charter was granted to the College in recognition of its objectives to inspire and enable all paramedics to participate in the profession within an environment based on safety, collegiality, inclusiveness, mental and physical wellbeing and innovation.

The issue of the Royal Charter represents an important milestone in the development of the College of Paramedics, provides recognition for the profession, gives strength to our professional voice and leadership and offers our members a moment of immense pride. It also cements the College in perpetuity, meaning that there will always be a College of Paramedics for the future, supporting and guiding the profession forevermore. 

Now that the Great Seal has been affixed and the terms of the Charter have come into legal effect, the College will work hard with its members and stakeholders to develop plans to determine what the role of ‘Chartered’ paramedic will be and how this will add value to the profession and to those it serves.

We will keep you updated on all these developments as they occur.

Like the rest of the UK, everyone at the College of Paramedics is devastated by the news of the dreadful attacks in Liverpool yesterday. 

We know that all ambulance staff and other emergency responders involved will be forever changed as a consequence of dealing with such an horrific incident. We send our heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of those affected by the attack and pray for a speedy recovery for those still being treated by our EM colleagues and hospital teams. 

Our thoughts also go to those at North West Ambulance Service and all those who dealt with the incident. 

Reaching out for support may feel a difficult thing to do but know that The Ambulance Staff Charity are there for you if you'd like to talk in confidence
 - https://www.theasc.org.uk/.

Today’s story on Sky News highlights once again how the ambulance sector in the UK has long been facing serious concerns regarding continued unacceptable sexualised behaviour. Reports have highlighted a pervasive culture of sexual harassment and misogyny, affecting many staff members, particularly women. This behaviour is completely unacceptable and undermines the safety and wellbeing of those dedicated to improving and saving lives.  
 
It is imperative that the work which is underway from the Ambulance Cultural Review Delivery Board continues and that all ambulance services sustain and accelerate their actions to address these issues as they are having a profound effect on individuals who face this type of behaviour from their peers and managers, and we support the work to continue fostering a culture of respect and safety for all staff.  
 
We will continue to hold listening events for all members and thank you to those of you who have courageously told us your stories as this drives us to ensure change remains a key focus of the College.

Government seeks to reform the Mental Health Act, improve NHS waiting times and restrict the sale of tobacco products.

The King's Speech 2024 has set out the priorities of the new Labour Government in Westminster, announcing more than 35 bills and draft bills aimed at supporting economic growth.

In terms of Health policy, the Government commits to take steps to improve the National Health Service for everyone – including reducing waiting times and focusing on prevention.  

• Mental Health Bill aims to ensure mental health is given the same attention and focus as physical health, and ministers will work to modernise the Mental Health Act.

• Legislation will be brought in to help stop young people smoking and vaping, with a Bill to be introduced to progressively increase the age at which people can buy cigarettes and impose limits on the sale and marketing of vapes.

• In other parts of the speech, the Digital Information and Smart Data Bill aims to harness the power of data for economic growth to improve people’s lives, including a move to an electronic system for the registration of births and deaths, and applying information standards to IT suppliers in the health and social care system.

The College of Paramedics welcomes these commitments to health and wellbeing and we will continue our work with policymakers and stakeholders to demonstrate how our members play a vital part in delivering and transforming healthcare. d to the vellum copy, the Crown office will contact the College to arrange for collection.

The College of Paramedics is dedicated to providing you with the very best support services and offering you access to the relevant tools, CPD, guidance and representation during every stage of your professional career so that you can achieve the highest possible standards of patient care.

Our desire to invest in our member experience is at the very heart of what we do and we wish to express our heartfelt thanks for your continued support, enabling the College to represent your voice collectively with policy and decision-makers across the UK and to promote and advance the paramedic profession.

In order to continue to work effectively and be financially sustainable, today we are announcing updates to our membership fees from October 1, 2024.

Whilst we appreciate and understand that this is a financially challenging time for many of you, we have made every effort to minimise how much we pass on to our membership.

Please find the full list of 2024 membership fees below, with the assurance that fees will continue to be reviewed annually.

Individual membership fees per year;
         

• Securing Royal Charter status
• Successfully campaigning for a change in legislation to allow prescribing of controlled drugs by paramedic independent prescribers
• Launching the ParaMEdic Project
• Speaking out publicly and supporting student paramedics who have experienced sexual harassment, bullying and inappropriate behaviour within the ambulance service
• Delivering our first manifesto, which introduces the key issues we need politicians and decision-makers to be aware of and work with us on to support the profession
• Welcoming a new President, Vice-president and respective new Chairs of the Paramedic Council and Student Council  
• Represented our members at the Scottish COVID -19 Inquiry

• Free of charge Fitness to Practise representation, up to £100,000
• £5million medical malpractice and public liability insurance for private work undertaken which amounts to £5K or less each year
• Access to our national network of CPD events
• Discounts on a range of products and services
• Peer support for those going through Fitness to Practise proceedings and free legal representation at HCPC regulatory hearings
• Access to over 500 videos on the CPD Hub
• A quarterly membership magazine and monthly digital newsletter
• 24 Hour Legal Helpline available to full members for fitness to practise matters
• Representation before government, employers, policy-makers and other external stakeholders
• Research undertaken on behalf of the profession
• Bespoke App released May 2024
• Our National Conference which is designed to educate, inform, entertain and support you in your development as a paramedic
• Representation in your education and career development