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The announcement will see more than 1000 paramedics employed by both services recognised for the work they do as well as giving patients across New Zealand confidence in the emergency ambulance services.

The New Zealand Government issued the Order in Council to designate paramedic services as a health profession under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act (2003). It also includes the setup of a Paramedic Council to regulate paramedic services.

The new regulation brings New Zealand in line with other countries such as Australia and Great Britain, where registration is compulsory to practice as a paramedic.

Wellington Free Ambulance Chief Executive Mike Grant said he was pleased to see the work paramedics do finally being recognised and acknowledged as the highly skilled, challenging and specialist work that it is. 

“The registration is not just about elevating the paramedic profession; it is about guaranteeing the best possible care for patients and will help us to keep getting better together – both as an organisation and as a profession,” Mike said.

Wellington Free Ambulance and St John Ambulance are the two emergency ambulance services in New Zealand. 

Mike thanked Wellington Free and St John paramedics for their hard work and dedication, and congratulated them for what is a significant moment for their profession. 

“Since I joined Wellington Free Ambulance, many conversations with staff have focused on how far the profession has come and the need to better inform our healthcare colleagues about the depth and range of skills we bring to the sector,” Mike said.

“Paramedic registration will enable us to extend our reach further to become better advocates for our patients.

“It will help make sure that other health professionals listen more closely to the important stories we tell about the people we are helping and how we need them to help us to do more,” he said.

Not only that, Mike explained it will help push the boundaries of modern paramedic practice and make sure the health sector understand the difference paramedics’ skills and expertise make.

Ambulance New Zealand Chief Executive David Waters said it was exciting news for the profession which plays such a vital role in the country’s health sector.

“The legislative reforms to establish the Paramedic Council and introduce additional measures to protect the public were a momentous step for paramedics and New Zealand. We look forward to the commencement of national registration of paramedicine in 2020,” David said.

The regulatory framework for paramedic registration to be overseen by the Paramedic Council is expected to take 12 to 18 months.

The inaugural board members will be appointed by the Health Minister, David Clark, in the near future.