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.

Over time paramedics have advanced their knowledge and skills and consequently become regulated as health care professionals. Regulation provides enforceable measures to ensure that paramedics are meeting their professional obligations to work in the best interests of patients, and to maintain public trust and confidence in the paramedic profession. However, despite the regulatory recognition of the advancement of paramedic professionalisation, paramedic pay and conditions around Australia has not consistently reflected this change. This session will explore the potential professional, personal, legal and ethical conflict that can arise when paramedics plan and take industrial action to improve wages and conditions but that has the intended consequence of disrupting patient care.

Biography: Dr Ruth Townsend

Ruth is a former paramedic and lawyer turned academic who has an interest and expertise in paramedic law, ethics and professionalism. Ruth is currently a senior lecturer in paramedicine at Charles Sturt University and the legal member of the Paramedicine Council of NSW that manages complaints made against paramedics as a part of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation scheme.

Session moderator: Alecka Miles