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The benefits of paramedic involvement in overdose management training
Lisette Abrahams, Centre Manager, The Xchange, Surrey and Verity Snook, Clinical Education Manager, Paramedic Higher Education Team, South East Coast Ambulance Service

Abstract
The Overdose Management Training in Surrey is facilitated by the Harm Reduction Outreach Team, in conjunction with South East Coast Ambulance Service. The sessions are devised to cover everything from Overdose risks and prevention, life support and C.P.R. to Naloxone administration. The Outreach Team recognise the importance of the support given to them in delivery of Overdose Management by South East Coast Ambulance Service.

This presentation explores the role of the Paramedics in co-facilitating Overdose Management. It considers the difficulties in managing dual-agency facilitation, and whether this implicates course delivery. We also look at the relationship between agencies facilitating, the structure and content of the sessions, and explore why client feedback to paramedic involvement is so positive. Potential future developments for ambulance crew involvement are also addressed.

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Biographies

Lisette Abraham has worked in the substance misuse field for 12 years in a variety of roles, incorporating young people’s prescribing services and criminal justice

She joined the Harm Reduction Outreach Team in 2006 as a needle exchange outreach worker , then progressed to managing the static needle exchange centre in Woking, Surrey.

Her main interests lie in Family Support, and Overdose Management.

Since July 2007 Lisette has co-facilitated a Parent /Carer group at the needle exchange and has particular enthusiasm for the ongoing development of better family support services.

Lisette is also responsible for the development and co-ordination of the county-wide Overdose Management programme and delivers sessions to both clients and other professionals. She has continuing passion for delivering and improving this aspect of Harm Reduction.

Verity Snook has worked for the South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) for 14 years (formally Surrey Ambulance Service). Initially she was an Emergency Medical Technician, progressing on to Ambulance Paramedic. The past 3 years Verity has been in a teaching position for the Clinical Education Department.

Verity’s main responsibility is assisting the delivery of paramedic training to the higher education university programmes for the Trust.

Verity became involved with the Harm Reduction Team in 2007, providing first response training which includes CPR, Recovery Position, information needed for a rapid ambulance response and use of Naloxone Hydrochloride (Narcan) during an Opiate Overdose on day two of the Overdose Management Programme.