New toolkit supports paramedics in primary care

As highlighted in the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan, paramedics have expanding NHS roles including in primary and community healthcare settings. Across the United Kingdom, many paramedics are now becoming integral parts of multi-professional teams embedded within general practices. Since 2021, government funding in England (under the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS)) has further expanded the number of paramedics working in GP practices, addressing workforce gaps and enhancing patient care.  

Paramedics bring a broad skill set and manage a variety of conditions, similar to GPs. Their role is especially valuable given the ongoing challenges in recruiting enough GPs to meet primary care demands. However, despite the expansion of the paramedic role in primary care, there have existed knowledge gaps in how, why and under what circumstances paramedics can be optimally deployed to maximise their expertise and impact on staff and patients. 

First showcased at the King’s Fund Care Closer to Home conference, Paramedics in Primary Care provides evidence-based guidance on how paramedics can contribute effectively to primary care teams. The toolkit was developed by clinical academic Consultant Paramedic Dr Georgette Eaton as part of her DPhil (PhD) project in the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, with funding support from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Doctoral Research Fellowship Award and NHS England Workforce, Training and Education (formally Health Education England).  

The free-to-access toolkit draws on both scientific evidence and policy, offering tailored resources for patients, paramedics, and GPs. It aims to clarify the role of paramedics in primary care, providing valuable reference for healthcare professionals and patients alike.  

Speaking about the inspiration for the project, Dr Eaton explains: "After many years of working as a paramedic in primary care, I realised that understanding my role in a primary care setting required strong research evidence to ensure I could contribute the most to the primary care team. e. This toolkit brings together essential information for service users, paramedics and primary care teams in an accessible format." 

Creating a toolkit that is both comprehensive and user-friendly posed a significant challenge. To achieve this, the team adopted a participatory co-design approach, whereby the intended users - in this case GPs, patients and paramedics - were involved in the creation of the website from the very beginning. This approach helped ensure the information provided is relevant, accessible, and meets the needs of those using it.  

The development of the toolkit was guided by an expert and patient steering committee, including specialists in evidence interpretation, GP and paramedic representatives, and members of the public. Together, they helped design the approach for gathering and presenting evidence and provided feedback on challenging decisions about what information to include and how to present it clearly. 

Professor Kamal R. Mahtani, GP and Professor of Evidence-Based Healthcare at the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, supervised the project. He highlighted the value of making evidence accessible: "Understanding the role of paramedics in primary care requires drawing on complex information from multiple sources. This toolkit bridges the gap between research and practice, making it easier for patients and healthcare professionals to understand this role. . Every GP practice considering or already employing a paramedic in their practice and who wants to support them through evidence-informed ways should use this toolkit. "