A WOODLEY man is pioneering a new way for hospital patients to get vital medicines.
Last week, the advanced paramedic practitioner at the Royal Berkshire Hospital become one of the country’s first-ever paramedic independent prescribers.
Spencer Winch, who works in the Emergency Department at the Reading-based hospital, was accredited as a paramedic prescriber following months of study.
And it is more than just a personal achievement: the hospital said that it will have a big impact on the busy Emergency Department by speeding up treatment for patients.
“Working previously as a paramedic, the law is slightly different and I was able to give clot busting drugs to heart attack patients or give morphine to broken bones, but in the Emergency Department the giving of medicine works differently,” Mr Winch said.
“I had to stop my assessments to go and find a doctor to prescribe the simplest of medicines such as paracetamol, and this became frustrating for both me and the patient.
“I wanted to be able to offer patients uninterrupted care and quicker access to appropriate medicines to treat their condition, and this new qualification now allows me to do that.’
One of his first prescriptions was a combination of strong antibiotics for a patient undergoing chemotherapy who came to the department with an infection.
“This is such an important and early intervention for those with a low immune system and I was pleased that I could give them access to these medicines quickly,” Mr Winch said.
And Mr Winch’s new role is appreciated by his bosses.
Manager Dave Clarke, an ED consultant, said: “Spencer is a real asset to the department and we’re delighted all his hard work has paid off.
“Being an independent prescriber is important to us as it means patients can receive a ‘one stop’ service from Spencer who now doesn’t have to leave them halfway through their assessment to go and find a doctor to organise a prescription.
“In a busy department like ours, this will have real benefits such as easing pressure on the medical team but more importantly, it will speed up the service we offer our patients improving outcomes and their experience of the department” said Dave.
Mr Winch has worked at the Royal Berkshire Hospital for four years, and before that was a specialist paramedic with South Central Ambulance Service for 18 years.
And just because he has received his qualification, it doesn’t mean that he can slack off the studies: it forms part of an ongoing Masters degree he is due to complete in Advanced Clinical Practice.
