Mr Alan Morrison1, Jacqueline Dominish1
1NSW Ambulance, Sydney, Australia
Biography:
Alan Morrison – Associate Director Professional Engagement & Partnerships and NSWA lead for the Integrated Paramedic Workforce Model Project.
Abstract:
Introduction
Guided by state strategic health policies NSW Health led an Integrated Paramedic Workforce Model Project to pilot workforce models that integrate paramedics within established multidisciplinary teams at two rural sites – an emergency department and hospital rapid access clinic. Paramedics were identified as the first workforce to test integrated workforce models as they are highly skilled health professionals whose clinical expertise as generalist practitioners with innate acute and emergency care capability, may easily translate across a range of healthcare settings.
Method
The project involved collaboration with more than 10 NSW Health entities over a 12 month period leading to successful implement of the pilots during October-December 2024.
The main objectives were to assess the feasibility of a workforce model integrating paramedics within established multidisciplinary teams across a range of health care settings and evaluate the strength of the project to meet future workforce needs – aligned to NSW Health Future Health and Workforce Plan objectives.
The project team established a methodology for the project that embedded extensive consultation with the broad range of system stakeholders addressing all requirements of the authorising environment and realisation of participating groups support.
Results
At the time of writing the Agency for Clinical Innovation is preparing an evaluation report. The findings of the report will be presented.
Conclusion
The outcomes of the evaluation will inform future workforce planning. The project methodology represents a robust approach that can be applied to jurisdictional workforce model innovation.