Our case studies are based on real life fitness to practise concerns we have received
Type of concern: Failure to provide adequate care
Profession: Paramedic
Standards
When these events happened, previous versions of the standards were in place (standards of proficiency for paramedics 2014 and standards of conduct, performance and ethics 2016). To avoid confusion the most recent versions are shown.
Standards of conduct, performance and ethics (1 September 2024)
- 2.7 You must share relevant information, where appropriate, with colleagues involved in the care, treatment or other services provided to a service user.
- 3.1 You must only practise in the areas where you have the appropriate knowledge, skills and experience to meet the needs of a service user safely and effectively.
- 3.3 You must refer a service user to an appropriate practitioner if the care, treatment or other services they need are beyond your scope of practice. This person must hold the appropriate knowledge, skills and experience to meet the needs of the service user safely and effectively.
- 6.1 You must take all reasonable steps to reduce the risk of harm to service users, carers and colleagues, as far as possible.
- 6.2 You must not do anything, or allow someone else to do anything, which could put the health or safety of a service user, carer or colleague at unacceptable risk.
- 10.1 You must keep full, clear and accurate records for everyone you care for, treat or provide other services to.
- 10.2 You must complete all records promptly and as soon as possible after providing care, treatment or other services.
Standards of proficiency for paramedics (1 September 2023)
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1. Practise safely and effectively within their scope of practice
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2. Practise within the legal and ethical boundaries of their profession
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3. Look after their health and wellbeing, seeking appropriate support where necessary
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4. Practise as an autonomous professional, exercising their own professional judgement
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7. Communicate effectively
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9. Maintain records appropriately
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13. Draw on appropriate knowledge and skills to inform practice
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14. Establish and maintain a safe practice environment
Case study
A paramedic self-referred with an allegation that he carried out inadequate assessments. He failed to meet Clinical Performance Indicators, and failed to take a patient to the hospital who was complaining of chest pains. The registrant had not recorded the reason why he left the patient at home. Following another call to emergency services, the registrant attended with a second crew who found the patient unconscious. The patient subsequently passed away.
The Panel found that these actions amounted to misconduct. The Panel took into account that, whilst this was an isolated incident, it was a serious issue. The Panel was of the opinion that the registrant had breached core tenets of the profession and had put the patient at ‘unwarranted harm’. Whilst the registrant had provided submissions at the ICP stage expressing some remorse for what had happened to the patient, he had stopped engaging with the fitness to practise process from then onwards.
The registrant was an experienced paramedic and formerly a team leader. In his earlier submissions, he explained that he was no longer working in the profession and expressed a desire to retire from practice. Therefore, the Panel had no up-to-date information to demonstrate whether the registrant had shown insight, or that they were capable of remedying the failures. The Panel was not confident as to whether the registrant was currently in employment. In addition, the registrant was previously subject to FTP proceedings in 2014.
The Panel found that the registrant had not learnt from that experience and that his intention to retire from practice demonstrated an unwillingness to resolve any deficiencies in his practice. The Panel took into account the seriousness of the incident. It also considered the effect on public confidence in the profession, and the regulatory body, when making its decision to strike the registrant from the Register.
Measures we put in place to protect the public
The Conduct and Competence Committee Panel imposed a striking-off order.
- Published:
- 14/01/2019
- Resources
- Learning material
- Subcategory:
- Case study
- Audience
- Registrants, Employers
- Profession
- Paramedics