Presented by Dr Ruth Townsend

Paramedics have variously been referred to as ‘Heroes’, ‘Angels of Mercy’ and ‘The Most Trusted Profession.’ They have generally enjoyed high levels of regard amongst the community and other health professionals but in the UK, where paramedics have been regulated for over a decade, they are the second most complained about health profession. What are some of the lessons Australian paramedics might learn from the UK experience about preserving their reputation by developing their professionalism, and how might registration help them to do so?

**Biography: **

Dr Ruth Townsend has practised as both a paramedic and a lawyer. She has been an academic specialising in the area of health law, ethics and human rights for the past ten years having worked at both CSU and the ANU College of Law and School of Medicine. Ruth has written the leading text on Paramedic Law and Ethics, is a Director of the Australia and New Zealand College of Paramedicine and is the Associate Editor of the Irish Journal of Paramedicine. With respect to paramedic research, Ruth has published many papers on paramedic issues and completed her PhD titled, ‘The role of the law in the professionalisation of paramedicine in Australia’ last year.

This presentation was part of ANZCP2018 Sydney on 23rd & 24th August 2018.