National registration of paramedics delayed

The inclusion of paramedics in the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (NRAS) has been delayed once again following the COAG Health Council meeting of state, territory and federal Health Ministers in Darwin today.

Queensland Minister for Health Cameron Dick said the national registration of paramedics was in the national interest and also the individual interest of each state and territory.

“The Health Council works on consensus and unfortunately we could not get consensus on paramedic registration today," he said.

“At the moment, the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency regulates 14 medical professions, but NSW and the Commonwealth are resisting including paramedics as the 15^th.

"National registration is important. It is a recognition of the high level of training that paramedics undergo.

“Along with recognition, a national scheme makes sharing information across jurisdictions easier.

“This can have important safety benefits and allow for easier movements of staff between states and territories.”

Mr Dick also presented a paper about the falling level of Commonwealth support for the health system through national partnerships.

“The magnitude of the Federal Government cuts are going to have a very real effect on the quality of health services available to the Australian public, and wait times for emergency department, elective surgery and outpatient services,” he said.

“The paper I presented highlighted the fiscal challenges facing state and territory Health Ministers of all political persuasions.

“Tony Abbott needs to start getting real about this looming crisis and take steps to address it now.”

Mr Dick also led discussion on the impact of the drug ice, where he called for the states and territories to work more closely together to strengthen existing partnerships in response to ice.

ENDS

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