Richard McDonald

Head of International Operations - South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (all views are my own)

[Richard McDonald @rvmcdonald]

@SCAS999 and @aurobindoems celebrating a successful year of partnership and service provision to the state of Andhra Pradesh, India! So proud of our staff and their dedication to patients through the challenging year caused by the pandemic #scasproud

[Aurobindoems @aurobindoems]

Launching of 108 & 104 in AP

[Richard McDonald @rvmcdonald]

@kcisc @ClearThinker66 I didn't take any documents with me when I left. If I find anything, I'm happy to share.

[Richard McDonald @rvmcdonald]

@DrJoFranklin @kcisc @ClearThinker66 If I've missed any questions or you want to chat through further, feel free to drop me a message. Always happy to listen, discuss and learn

[Richard McDonald @rvmcdonald]

@kcisc @ClearThinker66 From within the NHS Ambulance Trust - they visited the training centre and reviewed curriculum and training materials remotely as well. Plus were involved in the recruitment/ interview process too

[Richard McDonald @rvmcdonald]

@kcisc @ClearThinker66 I can understand that perspective but in reality the retraining was designed to be different to the suggested bypass of UK standards. We tried and failed, but luckily learnt a lot

[Richard McDonald @rvmcdonald]

@kcisc @ClearThinker66 Thanks - also reported

[Richard McDonald @rvmcdonald]

@kcisc @DrJoFranklin @ClearThinker66 Sorry missed this one - the breakdown from academic modular curriculums match - e.g. anatomy and physiology was the same level in an Indian BUMS or BAMS course as a UK Paramedic course... These were the matches to achieve HCPC requirements (does that make more sense?)

[Richard McDonald @rvmcdonald]

@DrJoFranklin @kcisc @ClearThinker66 With their individual experience/ courses. Additionally visas are more complicated for Paramedics as well. My understanding is all international recruitment of Paramedics in the UK is paused with the number of NQPs awaiting posts but don't quote me on that for everywhere

[Richard McDonald @rvmcdonald]

@DrJoFranklin @kcisc @ClearThinker66 Very different between HCPC, GMC and NMC for international registration purposes - for instance NMC and GMC have their OSCEs for registration taking place in the UK normally whilst employed. HCPC has accredited courses in the UK and then individuals that apply from outside the UK

[Richard McDonald @rvmcdonald]

@DrJoFranklin @kcisc @ClearThinker66 Roughly - international recruitment costs include visa, flights, initial accommodation, pastoral care & recruitment agency fees (per cohort or person). It's hard to compare directly to domestic costs as these wouldn't show training and abstraction cost for existing staff, etc.

[Richard McDonald @rvmcdonald]

@kcisc @DrJoFranklin @ClearThinker66 My understanding was it was a joint idea between colleagues from India and the UK when discussing healthcare challenges and opportunities between the two countries.

[Richard McDonald @rvmcdonald]

@DrJoFranklin @kcisc @ClearThinker66 The current position - 7 years later is a lack of vacancies and funding for additional positions. - more information is available from @ParamedicsUK and @AACE_org showing the progression over the years

[Richard McDonald @rvmcdonald]

@DrJoFranklin @kcisc @ClearThinker66 There are multiple clinical skill levels working on ambulances in the UK. Back in 2019 (when this was piloted) we were able to recruit to ambulance clinical grades below that of a Paramedic (ECA / Tech, etc..) but had a national shortage of registered Paramedic clinicians

[Richard McDonald @rvmcdonald]

@kcisc @ClearThinker66 He worked as a liaison with another person in India - they were not paid any funds by the NHS and worked in collaboration with the UK Dept Business and Trade

[Richard McDonald @rvmcdonald]

@kcisc @ClearThinker66 Try https://t.co/Nxc6ofE4cB but not sure if 2019 / 2020 papers will still be on the website

[Richard McDonald @rvmcdonald]

@kcisc @DrJoFranklin @ClearThinker66 Also, most international recruitment has similar relocation packages in place in the UK for roles hard to recruit to (see the visa categories)

[Richard McDonald @rvmcdonald]

@kcisc @DrJoFranklin @ClearThinker66 Just to clarify, courses outside the UK can't be accredited by the HCPC - on completion of any course outside the UK, the applicant has to send all their education and experience to the HCPC to be validated by them.

[Richard McDonald @rvmcdonald]

@DrJoFranklin @kcisc @ClearThinker66 Relatively new concept - Commissioners (ICBs / NHSE) would be able to share how they commission services and therefore define the workforce breakdown and headcount required to achieve performance Vs funding balance

[Richard McDonald @rvmcdonald]

@DrJoFranklin @kcisc @ClearThinker66 Sorry, answering questions out of sync... So the question around UK applications to in position... Until the last few years, it was almost guaranteed that if U qualified as a Paramedic through university in the UK, there was an available job role for you. Unemployed NQPs is a

[Richard McDonald @rvmcdonald]

@DrJoFranklin @kcisc @ClearThinker66 The original pilot was originally planned to be 24, however COVID affected HCPC registration, visa processes and travel. Therefore a cohort of 5 was possible with these challenges. Further cohorts were planned if successful.

[Richard McDonald @rvmcdonald]

@DrJoFranklin @kcisc @ClearThinker66 Many NHS Ambulance Trusts used international recruitment for areas that are difficult to recruit to. An area in the trust at the time was running with a very high vacancy rate and private provision was being relied upon to deliver safe services (ambulance version of agency)

[Richard McDonald @rvmcdonald]

@DrJoFranklin @kcisc @ClearThinker66 The Trust I was working for would look for a small % of paramedic recruitment per year to be international vs domestic. This was based on cost, domestic availability and feasibility, local education availability for integration and local retention (plus many other factors)