That’s the title of a post from the Facebook page of the Paramedic Observer, Ray Bange, and I thank him from bringing this to my attention.  In his post Ray provides a links to the Premier’s media release at https://tinyurl.com/p6zyh46n. In that release the Premier says:

The legislation to allow paramedics to independently deliver patient care is expected to reduce pressure on Victoria’s ambulance services and emergency departments. Paramedic Practitioners will be able to assess, diagnose and treat many conditions locally without needing to transfer patients to a hospital.

The biggest change will be for paramedic practitioners to be able to handle and administer scheduled medicines so they can prescribe and supply medicines on the spot.

 The media release refers to the Paramedic Practitioners Bill 2024 but that is not the proper title of the Bill.  The full title is the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Amendment (Paramedic Practitioners) Bill 2024.  The full title of the Bill makes clear that the legislative change will only relate to the supply of medications.  The other objectives that the government have identified – that is, allowing paramedics ‘to assess, diagnose and treat many conditions locally without the need to transfer patients to hospital’, can be met without legislative change.  

The long title says that the Bill is intended ‘to establish paramedic practitioners as a class of registered paramedics authorized to obtain, possess, use, sell and supply certain substances and for other purposes’.  The Bill, if passed will come into force on 12 November 2025 or such earlier date as may be proclaimed by the government (s 2).   The term ‘paramedic practitioner’ will mean:

…  a registered paramedic who—

(a) has completed a prescribed postgraduate qualification; and 

(b) satisfies the prescribed experience requirements (if any);

Any paramedic practitioner will be authorized (s 5) to:

… obtain and possess and to use, sell or supply any Schedule 2, 3, 4 or 8 poison approved by the Minister in the lawful practice of the person’s profession as a paramedic practitioner;

Further wherever the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981 (Vic)refers to a ‘nurse practitioner’ it will now refer to a ‘nurse or paramedic practitioner’ so whatever authority and limitations that currently govern nurse practitioners, will also govern paramedic practitioners.

Presumably between now and the commencement date there will be changes made to the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Regulations 2017 (Vic) to allow paramedic practitioners to prescribe schedule 4 and 8 drugs (r 16).  One can also anticipate changes to r 8 to allow a nurse or midwife to obtain and administer sch 4 and 8 drugs that have been prescribed for a person by a paramedic practitioner.  Paramedic practitioners, like nurse practitioners, I assume will also be able to write ‘chart’ instructions on hospital and residential medication charts (rr 28 and 29).

There is nothing in the Bill that says paramedic practitioners have to be employees of Ambulance Victoria so these changes could well open practice opportunities for paramedics.  The legislation, if passed will also help resolve situations, such as that described in my post Appropriate or inappropriate use of ambulance services? (October 19, 2024) as it would allow paramedic practitioners to prescribe relevant medication to be administered by nursing home professional staff without the need to transport the person to hospital.

This is a commendable initiative, and I look forward to seeing how it is implemented.

This blog is made possible with generous financial support from (in alphabetical order) the Australasian College of Paramedicine, the Australian Paramedics Association (NSW), the Australian Paramedics Association (Qld), Natural Hazards Research Australia, NSW Rural Fire Service Association and the NSW SES Volunteers Association. I am responsible for the content in this post including any errors or omissions. Any opinions expressed are mine, and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or understanding of the donors.

This blog is a general discussion of legal principles only.  It is not legal advice. Do not rely on the information here to make decisions regarding your legal position or to make decisions that affect your legal rights or responsibilities. For advice on your particular circumstances always consult an admitted legal practitioner in your state or territory.