Ref: FOI/2296
05 September 2017
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx
Dear Mr Bailey
REQUEST UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000
Further to your enquiry, which we received on 09 August 2017, you requested the following
information which we have provided our response in green below each question asked for
your reference:
1. What medical qualifications, regulated or otherwise, are required to operate
as Emergency Ambulance Crew within your trust?
The West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (WMAS) workforce
operating model is primarily registered Paramedic and Associate Ambulance
Practitioner (formerly known as Ambulance Technician). Paramedics must hold a
minimum of Level 5 Diploma in Higher Education in Paramedic Science, equivalent
or higher. Legacy qualifications such as IHCD Paramedic are still accepted. The
former IHCD Ambulance Technician is still accepted, although now replaced with
Level 4 Diploma for Associate Ambulance Practitioners.
2. What medical qualifications, regulated or otherwise, are accepted by your
trust for direct entry employment to Emergency Ambulance Crew within your
trust?
As per our response to question 1.
3. What medical qualifications, regulated or otherwise, are accepted by your
trust for Emergency Ambulance Crew employed by a Private Ambulance
Provider working on behalf of your trust?
WMAS does not utilise private ambulance provision.
4. What Emergency Response Driving qualifications, regulated or otherwise, are
required to operate as Emergency Ambulance Crew within your trust?
Former IHCD D1/D2 qualification or the current Level 3 Certificate in Emergency
Response Ambulance Driving (CERAD).
5. What Emergency Response Driver qualifications, regulated or otherwise, are
accepted by your trust for direct entry employment to Emergency Ambulance
Crew within your trust?
As above, plus we operate a robust Recognition of Prior Learning policy, which
allows us to deliver an abridged version of the Level 3 CERAD, should applicants
have prior knowledge or qualifications, where responsible and practical.
FOI/2296 continued
6. What Emergency Response Driver qualifications, regulated or otherwise, are
accepted by your trust for Emergency Ambulance Crew employed by a
Private Ambulance Provider working on behalf of your trust?
WMAS does not utilise private ambulance provision.
7. What authorities/bodies, if any, oversee/regulate these decisions for your
trust?
The decisions of which qualifications and their indicative content is set nationally by
the employing sector under the auspices of Association of Ambulance Chief
Executives. Newly designed qualifications are then passed to Future (Awards &
Qualifications) Ltd under contract with AACE to be regulated. All decisions of
employer requirements are made by the employer sector. Our Awarding
Organisation is responsible for the regulation of the qualifications through OFQUAL
only.
The Trust must demonstrate that all Paramedics employed are appropriately
registered with the Health and Care Professions Council [HCPC]. This registration
body is also responsible for ensuring all Paramedic education provision meets the
required curriculum standards as set by the College of Paramedics.
We hope that this answers your request. If you are dissatisfied with our response you have
the right to appeal in line with guidance from the Information Commissioner:
In the first instance you may write to the Chief Executive Officer of this Trust
Mr A C Marsh
Regional Headquarters
Millennium Point
Waterfront Way
Brierley Hill
West Midlands
DY5 1LX
Tel: 01384 215555
The Chief Executive Officer will then appoint a nominated deputy to oversee and
respond to the appeal with their approval.
If you are unhappy with the findings of the Panel you can then write to the Information
Commissioner at:
Information Commissioner’s Office,
Wycliffe House,
Water Lane,
Wilmslow,
Cheshire.
SK9 5AF
Tel: 01625 545 700
Fax: 01625 524 510
If you require further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Yours sincerely
Lynsey Kumari
Freedom of Information Officer
