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Background: This study seeks to understand part of the emerging clinical leadership framework implemented in the UK's NHS ambulance services in recent years. The aim is to explore the relatively new role of consultant paramedics and understand their leadership activities in relationship to nationally determined requirements, and the challenges they face performing this crucial leadership role. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with all consultant paramedics in the UK in 2013. Thematic analysis and coding were used to analyse the data and identify emergent themes. Additionally, basic demographic data was collected for comparison against national requirements. Findings: The findings illustrated three key themes: credible clinical leadership, an emerging empowered profession, and role expectations. There is a clear indication that consultant paramedics are a key part of clinical leadership for the paramedic profession. However, they are challenged to remain clinically competent by undertaking regular clinical practice and providing visible leadership on the ground, while strategically taking the profession forward. Operational resistance and power issues were highlighted as some of the problems faced by these clinical leaders. Implications: The findings may prove useful for employers in reviewing their clinical leadership structures, and in workforce planning for future consultant paramedics. The paramedic profession and its professional body may equally find this study useful for informing future strategic planning.

IntroductionChronic breathlessness, persistent and disabling despite optimal treatment of underlying causes, is a prevalent and frightening symptom and is associated with many emergency presentations and admission to hospital. Breathlessness management techniques used by paramedics may reduce the need for conveyance to hospital. The Breathlessness RElief AT HomE study (BREATHE) aims to explore the feasibility of conducting a definitive cluster randomised controlled trial (cRCT) for people with acute-on-chronic breathlessness who have called an ambulance, to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a paramedic-administered non-pharmacological breathlessness intervention.Methods and analysisThe trial is a mixed-methods feasibility cluster randomised controlled trial. Eight paramedics will be randomised 1:1 to deliver either the BREATHE intervention in addition to usual care or usual care alone at call-outs for acute-on-chronic breathlessness. Sixty participants will be recruited to provide access to routine data relating to the index call-out with optional follow-up questionnaires at 14 days, 1 month and 6 months. An in-depth interview will be conducted with a subgroup. Feasibility outcomes relating to recruitment, data quality (especially candidate primary outcomes), and intervention acceptability and fidelity will be collected as well as providing data to estimate a sample size for a definitive trial.Ethics and disseminationYorkshire and The Humber – Sheffield Research Ethics Committee approved the trial protocol (19/YH/0314). The study results will inform progression to, or not, and design of a main trial according to pre-determined stop-go criteria. Findings will be disseminated to relevant stakeholders and submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

Background/aims The demand from care homes on NHS services continues to rise, with little evidence of ambulance service contribution in this area. The Yorkshire Ambulance Service provides an advanced practitioner model to support care homes in Sheffield, as an alternative to calling 999. This study investigated the experiences and needs of the care home staff who use the ambulance service advanced practitioner model. Methods This qualitative study conducted semi-structured, face-to-face interviews with 19 staff members from 10 different care home settings. Thematic analysis using a combination of NVivo and manual coding was undertaken. Results The three key themes from the interviews were variations in service demand, the service user's expectations and experience, and benefits to residents. Participants reported that good community services reduced the need to call 999, empowering carers to support residents to remain in the community. Conclusions Care homes require comprehensive services that meet their needs. The advanced practitioner model provided by the ambulance service supports this, preventing unnecessary 999 calls and fitting with other community service provision.

Introduction: Ambulance services play a key role in the recognition and care of patients nearing their end of life, yet are expected to recognise and manage these complex presentations often with limited education. Paramedics operate across large geographical areas, meaning education delivery is challenging. Yorkshire Ambulance Service implemented Project Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO), which is the creation of virtual communities of practice to address this problem and increase access to specialist supervision, education and sharing of practice. We undertook a service evaluation of the programme and interviewed paramedics about their experiences with ECHO.Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight ambulance clinicians who took part in the end-of-life care (EoLC) ECHO programme. Thematic analysis and coding was undertaken to identify and develop the emerging themes.Results: This study identified three key themes: programme structure, factors influencing engagement and professional impact. The provision of a virtual community of practice through Project ECHO was a unique and highly valued experience, which was accessible and allowed for networking, peer support and sharing of practice. The concept of a ripple effect was reported in disseminating learning across the wider team.Conclusion: The development of virtual communities of practice as a novel educational intervention has the potential to transform clinical supervision and ongoing education for ambulance clinicians who are often isolated by the nature of ambulance services that cover large regions.