The ACP International Conference provides an unmatched opportunity for our members to learn from experts and leaders in paramedicine. ACPIC 2021 was delivered as a hybrid conference (online and face to face in the Sunshine Coast, QLD and Hobart, TAS) in November 2021.

Panel discussion:

• Where does the panel see paramedicine in the future (traditionally very jurisdictional ambulance based)?
• What education is required to allow paramedics to work in community and primary care?
• Do you need to be an intensive care paramedic to move into community paramedicine?
• Does the panel think there will ever be uniform practice between all states and territories?

Panel members:

Alecka Miles, Kris Gagliardi and Emma-Kate Thornley

Session moderator: Michelle Murphy

Biographies:

Alecka Miles Alecka is the Course Coordinator of the Master of Paramedic Practitioner course at Edith Cowan University and works as a Paramedic at a GP clinic in Perth, Western Australia. She is a long-suffering Melbourne Demons fan and proud ‘Mumma’ to Poppy (5 years) and Hamish (3 years), a career highlight and her greatest achievement so far. Despite expressing her concerns about research being a ‘waste of time’ as a M.A.S. graduate paramedic, she has since changed her tune and developed research interests in paramedic education and the roles for paramedics in primary health care in Australia/New Zealand. She has a Masters degree in Emergency Health and is currently undertaking her PhD and looks forward to dressing like a professor from Harry Potter when she graduates.

Kris Gagliardi 

Kris is a practising Intensive Care Paramedic and is currently Assistant Clinical Director for St John, where he is responsible for leading the development of out-of-hospital pathways for high-acuity conditions including STEMI, acute stroke and major trauma, as well as low acuity pathways for ambulance patients in partnership with District Health Boards (DHBs) and Primary Health Organisations (PHOs) such as falls prevention, smoking cessation, mental health and social support. Kris is also responsible for the development of clinical education for ambulance personnel, the Ambulance Sector Clinical Procedures and Guidelines (CPGs), clinical policies, and health sector stakeholder engagement. Prior to taking on national roles in St John, Kris was the pre-hospital lead for the Nelson Marlborough STEMI Pathway, New Zealand’s first comprehensive pre-hospital STEMI pathway involving pre-hospital fibrinolysis and direct transport of eligible patients to a PCI capable hospital. Kris is a trustee of the New Zealand Paramedic Education and Research Charitable Trust

Emma-Kate Thornley Emma’s Paramedicine career began in 2001. She completed a clinical Master’s at medical school in 2012 and now practices clinically as a Paramedic Practitioner (FACPP) in Tasmania in addition to her academic career in postgraduate Paramedicine at UTAS. Emma is a founding board member of Australasian College of Paramedic Practitioners where she continues to develop defined career structures beyond registration for Paramedics and advocates for the legislative changes and organisational evolution that will enable Paramedics to practice as part of the broader Primary Health Care workforce.