The inaugural Primary Care Conference 2024, was hosted in May in Sandy Bay, Tasmania. This conference served as a platform for delegates to enhance their skills and contribute to the evolving landscape of primary care through valuable insights, thought-provoking presenters, and collaborative discussions.

Conference theme - Seamless synergy: Advancing paramedicine integration in healthcare. PCC24's theme emphasises the critical role of collaboration in transforming and advancing paramedicine. Positioned at the intersection of innovation, this conference encourages participants to explore the nuances of seamless teamwork, fostering an environment where integration within healthcare is paramount

Whether you're a Community Paramedic, Paramedic Practitioner, Extended Care Paramedic, or simply curious about expanding your knowledge in primary care, we strongly encourage watching all recordings from this conference.

Panel Discussion: Where we came from, where we are now and where we are heading?

The panel explores the journey of primary care, reflecting on the past, assessing the current position, and envisioning the future direction

Panel:

• Dr Louise Reynolds, Associate Professor in Paramedicine, Australian Catholic University and Chief Paramedic Officer, Safer Care Victoria

• Dr Peter O’Meara, Adjunct Professor, Monash University & Charles Sturt University. Board Member, The Paramedic Network and the American Paramedic Association.

• Dr Angela Martin PhD, Manager Clinical Practice- Integrated Care, Ambulance Tasmania

• Adjunct Professor Ruth Stewart, National Rural Health Commissioner, Office of the National Rural Health Commissioner

Biography: Dr Louise Reynolds

Dr Louise Reynolds, is ACU Associate Professor in Paramedicine and Safer Care Victoria’s Chief Paramedic Officer. She began her paramedicine career as a student paramedic with SA Ambulance Service before transitioning to research and academic roles. She was Australia's first female paramedic with a doctoral degree experience and her education experience in vocational, undergraduate, and postgraduate programs across Australia, UK, and South-East Asia. Louise’s research focuses on paramedicine workplace culture, employing qualitative methodologies. She is five times co-editor of 'Understanding the Australian Health Care System' and co-authors the paramedicine chapter. She is actively involved in professional bodies like the Australasian Council of Paramedicine Deans and Australasian College of Paramedicine.

Biography: Dr Peter O’Meara

Dr Peter O’Meara is an Adjunct Professor of Paramedicine at both Monash and Charles Sturt universities, as well as a Board member of The Paramedic Network and the American Paramedic Association. Dr O'Meara's recent research has focused on the evolution of community paramedicine and violence against health care providers. He has published extensively on these and other paramedicine-related topics. Peter has edited one book, contributed ten book chapters, and published over 100 peer-reviewed papers. He has contributed toward the emergence of paramedicine as a health profession in Australia and other parts of the world.

Biography: Dr Angela Martin

Dr Angela Martin PhD, is a Registered Paramedic, published author and long-standing advocate for Community Paramedicine. Her PhD thesis was an international exploratory study on perspectives of Community Paramedicine through multiple stakeholder lenses. After a 21-year career with SA Ambulance Service, Angela has recently embarked on an exciting career change, appointed as the Manager Clinical Practice – Integrated Care with Ambulance Tasmania. In this new role, Angela will draw from her research and clinical expertise to lead the progression of Community Paramedicine across Tasmania. Angela’s accolades include CAA Women in Ambulance honour recipient 2024, ACP Fellowship 2023, SA Emergency Services Medal 2018, SAAS Clinical Excellence Commendation 2016, ACP/SAAS Rod Kershaw Scholarship 2013. Her qualifications include PhD, MCommtyParamed (C.), GDipN (Emerg), BN, Dip.ParaSci (Amb), Dip.Mgt., Cert IV TAE. Angela has academic affiliations with Edith Cowan University, Flinders University and the International Institute Health Research Institute.

Biography: Adjunct Professor Ruth Stewart

Adj.Prof.Ruth Stewart is the National Rural Health Commissioner. She has been a Rural Generalist with Advanced Skills in obstetrics for over 30 years, has worked clinically in private practice and rural hospitals and clinics in south west Victoria and far north Queensland. Ruth is a past president of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM), and established the rural Longitudinal Integrated Clerkship for Deakin University school of medicine and was Director of Rural Clinical Training for James Cook University School of Medicine and Dentistry. She was for twelve years a board member of ACRRM, for 8 years of Cape York and then Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service, a board member of Regional Training organisations and of the Tropical Australian Academic Health Centre. Ruth was awarded a PhD for her thesis “Lessons from the development of a maternity managed clinical network in a low volume rural context” by Flinders University in 2013.

Conference MC: Adj Assoc. Professor Michelle Murphy, Advocacy & Government Relations Lead, Australasian College of Paramedicine and National Manager, Integrated Care Pathways, ForHealth