Life-saving heroes celebrate a decade on the road

Emergency Services Minister Pat Purcell has today congratulated the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) on reaching an important milestone – the tenth anniversary of the Intensive Care Paramedic program.

Mr Purcell said Intensive Care Paramedics (ICPs) were highly qualified paramedics who specialised in severe trauma cases.

“These amazing people are at the top of their profession,” Mr Purcell said.

“In addition to the high level of skills held by paramedics, ICPs can administer a greater range of drugs and perform complex medical procedures.”

To become an ICP a paramedic must complete a Graduate Diploma in Intensive Care Paramedics, which involves a year of full-time study.

“ICPs have proven to be a vital addition to the QAS over the past 10 years, providing expert care to their communities,” Mr Purcell said.

200 officers have graduated as ICPs in Queensland during the past decade. They are posted at locations right around the State, from Weipa to Goondiwindi.

“ICPs are making a big difference to patient care in Queensland,” QAS Commissioner Jim Higgins said.

“In 2004, the percentage of patients who were delivered to hospital with return of a spontaneous heartbeat had risen to 21.6 per cent, up from 18.3 per cent in 2000. The impact of ICPs is a major reason for this increase,” Mr Higgins said.

Mr Purcell said, “On behalf of all Queenslanders I would like to recognise the expertise of our ICPs and thank all QAS paramedics for the wonderful work they do.”

Media contact: Daniel Landon 07 3247 8992, 0437 837 976.