Medical requirements eased
N/A
July 24, 2008
Significant changes to the current medical service requirements have been approved by the Board of CAMS for speed events, off road events and races.
The amendments reflect revised community standards and ensure that the level of risk at an event is equal to the minimum level of medical service required.
Considered in the changes are the business principles which have emerged in the past nine years since the previous standards were introduced. The requirements for specialised services have been realigned with the changes seen in the organisation and through the conduct of events.
The new requirements centre primarily on transport arrangements for casualties at speed events, off road events and races up to, and including, State Championship level. These requirements include:
Generally:
• Adjustments to the level of medical response plans required for different types of events. This will remove some onerous and unnecessary requirements for some speed and off road events.
• A further clarification of the level of qualification and competence that paramedical personnel require at some events.
For Races:
• Removal of the requirement to provide a State authorised (emergency) ambulance and on-site staff (generally at a level lower than National Championship race meetings). This will be replaced with the requirement of an equally equipped vehicle which can transport casualties under normal road traffic conditions if required.
A condition of this amendment is the requirement of suitably competent paramedics who can work with the Chief Medical Officer to follow the event’s medical response plan.
• Replacement of the Chief Medical Officer with two paramedics that have current specialised skills equivalent to “Mica Paramedic” (Victoria) training. This will apply to club, multi club and state championship race meetings (which are not “time critical” in regard to their schedule).
Integral in this approach are restrictions that prevent injured drivers from continuing to compete in the same event.
For Off Road Events and for Speed Events:
• Removal of the requirement to provide a State authorised (emergency) ambulance and on-site staff (generally at less than National Championship race meetings). This will be replaced with the requirement of an equally equipped vehicle which can transport casualties under normal road traffic conditions if required.
A condition of this amendment is the requirement of suitably competent paramedics who can work with the Chief Medical Officer to follow the event’s medical response plan.
The benefit of these alternatives will be welcomed by many event organisers. The changes will provide a cost effective solution to the requirement of medical services, and at the same time continue to provide a proven and appropriate minimum level of emergency service.
The changes have already been effectively trialled in the field. As a result, a non-emergency patient transport vehicle, equipped to the standard of an ambulance (in lieu of an actual state ambulance) has become the default standard requested by many organisers since the introduction of an intensive risk assessment based process in July 2007.
Of course the new measures will affect the minimum requirements which CAMS considers acceptable. Many event organisers provide superior services, whereby it is appropriate that they continue to do so.
The evolutionary and interim changes will be further developed and improved following the introduction of a holistic approach to medical requirements. These requirements will balance the level of competence of medical officials and the services they provide to an event with a suitable level of CAMS accreditation (similar to that which exists for all other officials).
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