ORIGINAL ARTICLE

The evolution of the emergency care practitioner role in England: experiences and impact

S Mason¹, P Coleman¹, C O’Keeffe¹, J Ratcliffe², J Nicholl¹

¹ Health Services Research, School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
² Sheffield Health Economics Group, School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Dr S Mason
Clinical Senior Lecturer in Emergency Medicine, Health Services Research, School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Regent Court, Regent Street, Sheffield S1 4DA, UK; s.mason{at}sheffield.ac.uk

Background: The emergency care practitioner (ECP) is a generic practitioner who combines extended nursing and paramedic skills. The "new" role emerged out of changing workforce initiatives intended to improve staff career opportunities in the National Health Service and ensure that patients’ health needs are assessed appropriately.

Objective: To describe the development of ECP Schemes in 17 sites, identify criteria contributing to a successful operational framework, analyse routinely collected data and provide a preliminary estimate of costs.

Methods: There were three methods used: (a) a quantitative survey, comprising a questionnaire to project leaders in 17 sites, and analysis of data collected routinely; (b) qualitative interpretation based on telephone interviews in six sites; and (c) an economic costing study.

Results: Of 17 sites, 14 (82.5%) responded to the questionnaire. Most ECPs (77.4%) had trained as paramedics. Skills and competencies have been extended through educational programmes, training, and assessment. Routine data indicate that 54% of patient contacts with the ECP service did not require a referral to another health professional or use of emergency transport. In a subset of six sites, factors contributing to a successful operational framework were strategic visions crossing traditional organisational boundaries and appropriately skilled workforce integrating flexibly with existing services. Issues across all schemes were patient safety, appropriate clinical governance, and supervision and workforce issues. On the data available, the mean cost per ECP patient contact is £24.00, which is less than an ED contact of £55.00.

Conclusion: Indications are that the ECP schemes are moving forward in line with original objectives and could be having a significant impact on the emergency services workload.

Abbreviations: DoH, Department of Health; ECP, emergency care practitioner; ED, emergency department; GP, general practitioner; MIU, minor injury unit; WIC, walk in centre

Keywords: emergency care practitioner; intermediate care; extended skills; avoided admission

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