Richard Webber's career in the out of hospital care field began in 1991 when he joined the Ambulance Service. By 1995, he had qualified as a paramedic, a role he has continued to practise ever since. Holding a part-time contract with his local Ambulance Service, Richard remains active in the field, regularly responding to patients on cars and ambulances. This hands-on experience is something he finds incredibly rewarding, as it helps him make patient-centred decisions in his management roles.
Throughout his career, Richard has progressed through various positions within the Ambulance Service. He has served as an Instructor, Operational Manager, and eventually rose to become the Director of Operations for London Ambulance Service. Later, he took on the role of Clinical Director for South East Coast Ambulance Service, culminating in his position as the First Lead Paramedic at NHS England. Each of these roles has provided Richard with unique insights and experiences, which he has found immensely fulfilling.
As the Head of 111 this role involves overseeing telephone triage, which serves as the initial point of contact for many NHS patients. We answer approximately 2.8 million calls annually, providing essential support and guiding patients to the appropriate care settings! Richard finds this aspect of his work highly rewarding.
A typical day for Richard in NHS 111 involves managing the team that handles these calls, ensuring that patients receive timely and accurate advice. His experience as a paramedic has equipped him with a unique set of skills that are invaluable in this role. Unlike traditional paramedic duties, his current responsibilities focus more on remote patient assessment and triage. The ability to quickly assess patient needs and make appropriate referrals is a skill he brings to the table, enhancing the overall service provided by NHS 111.
Paramedics like Richard possess a distinctive ability to manage patients in diverse situations, making critical referrals with limited diagnostic tools. Richard’s extensive experience with emergency conditions such as heart attacks and strokes has enabled him to safely manage and improve patient conditions before they access specialist care. This preliminary diagnostic ability is both challenging and crucial.
The integration of paramedics into urgent care services like NHS 111 has significantly improved patient care. Richard’s expertise allows him to provide immediate, effective responses to patient needs, thereby improving outcomes. He collaborates closely with other healthcare professionals within NHS 111, ensuring comprehensive and coordinated care for all patients.
One of the biggest challenges Richard faces in his current role is managing the high volume of calls and ensuring each patient receives the best possible care. Despite these pressures, he finds the work incredibly rewarding. The ability to make a real difference in patients' lives, often in high-pressure situations, is what drives him.
Handling these situations requires a calm manner and effective coping mechanisms, skills Richard has honed over his extensive career. His ability to stay composed under pressure ensures that patients receive the highest standard of care, even in the most stressful circumstances.
Richard has witnessed significant changes in the paramedicine field since he first qualified. Where once there were limited career progression opportunities, there are now diverse paths available in primary care, hospitals, and NHS 111. These opportunities have made a career in paramedicine more varied and rewarding.
Richard places a high value on professional development and continuously seeks to update his knowledge and skills. He has recently completed 2 terms as the Trustee for Membership and Communications with the College of Paramedics- the Paramedics professional body. This was a voluntary role but was very rewarding serving on the Board of the paramedics’ professional body and supporting many of the developments such as independent prescribing and gaining a Royal Charter. He stays abreast of the latest advancements and best practices in paramedicine, ensuring he remains at the forefront of his field. His future goals include continuing to impact NHS 111 positively, using his experience and skills to improve patient care and service delivery.
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