Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether standard operating practices and procedures for the treatment of patients in ambulances for those waiting to be admitted to hospital (1) go beyond paramedics' scope of clinical practice, and (2) are limited to pre-hospital emergency interventions, in particular in Birmingham.

No specific assessment has been made. Paramedics are highly trained and competent professionals who routinely and autonomously carry out procedures where required.

While patients wait for hospital intervention, paramedics work alongside acute trusts to provide robust protection measures, alongside Rapid Release protocols implemented in most ambulance services and acute trusts, allowing ambulances to clear and be available for the next call. Where protocols have not been implemented, there is a plan in place for rapid implementation.

Whether paramedics are able to undertake or supervise treatment procedures whilst patients wait for admission to hospital depends on a number of factors, including local policies and clinical governance frameworks.