In this international edition of the EMS One-Stop podcast, host Rob Lawrence welcomes Lewis Andrews, the chief operating officer of the United Kingdom鈥檚 College of Paramedics, for an insightful discussion on two major topics shaping global paramedicine.
First up is International Paramedic Day, taking place on July 8, 2025. Now in its third year, the day honors the contribution of paramedics across the world and draws its inspiration from the birthday of Dominique-Jean Larrey, the father of battlefield ambulance care. Lewis explains how the day has grown from 50 initial partners to over 150 global organizations, with this year鈥檚 theme being 鈥淯nity and community.鈥� The day aims to raise awareness of the profession, share innovations and bring together the global paramedic community.
MORE | How community paramedicine is thriving in the UK: Dr. Linda Dykes and Rom Duckworth discuss trans-Atlantic lessons in emergency management
In the second half of the show, Lewis delves into the structure and significance of the College of Paramedics, which represents nearly half of the UK鈥檚 registered paramedics. He describes how the UK paramedic profession is regulated and protected by law, with a rigorous educational pathway that now includes the potential for prescribing paramedics and direct-to-primary-care tracks.
Rob and Lewis explore how paramedics in the UK are increasingly working beyond emergency ambulances 鈥� in GP surgeries, urgent care centers and academic roles. Their conversation offers a rich comparison point for U.S. EMS leaders seeking to elevate paramedicine through autonomy, education and broader clinical roles.
Memorable quotes
- 鈥淭his is not a commercial platform 鈥� this is about us celebrating us.鈥� 鈥� Lewis Andrews, on the ethos of International Paramedic Day
- 鈥淟et鈥檚 not reinvent the wheel, but let鈥檚 look at what the wheel is for the environment that it鈥檚 required to roll in.鈥� 鈥� Lewis Andrews, on global EMS collaboration
- 鈥淭he title 鈥榩aramedic鈥� is protected by law in the UK 鈥� you can鈥檛 simply do a first aid course and call yourself one.鈥� 鈥� Rob Lawrence
- 鈥淎utonomy 鈥� in a word 鈥� that鈥檚 what makes a prescribing paramedic.鈥� 鈥� Lewis Andrews, on expanding paramedic roles
- 鈥淲e鈥檙e also promoting the profession to those who don鈥檛 yet know they want to be in the profession.鈥� 鈥� Lewis Andrews, on recruitment and professional identity
- 鈥淲e have a career framework 鈥� that actually shows that you can develop from that day one newly qualified right through to a consultant paramedic, chief paramedic, director, professor.鈥� 鈥� Lewis Andrews
Episode timeline
00:55 鈥� Introduction to International Paramedic Day (IPD) and its origins
02:17 鈥� Why July 8 was chosen: Dominique-Jean Larrey鈥檚 birthday
03:02 鈥� Growth of IPD from 50 to over 150 partners
05:06 鈥� 2025 theme: 鈥淯nity and community鈥� and sub-objectives
06:45 鈥� How to participate: share stories, use hashtags (#UnityAndCommunity and #IPD2025), connect globally
08:58 鈥� The global nature of IPD and U.S. partners鈥� involvement
11:25 鈥� Promoting awareness and the importance of celebrating paramedics
12:50 鈥� Part 2 鈥� The role of the College of Paramedics
14:09 鈥� Overview of College functions: CPD, representation, research, advocacy
18:15 鈥� Registration with HCPC, protected title and the regulator鈥檚 role
21:12 鈥� Paramedic education in the UK: degree pathways, demand and cost
23:46 鈥� Discussion on streaming directly into primary care roles
27:09 鈥� Career framework: from graduate paramedic to chief paramedic/professor
30:16 鈥� Prescribing paramedics: autonomy and improved patient experience
33:08 鈥� Recap and call to action: visit
34:17 鈥� Like, subscribe and engage
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