They work closely with families, carers and members of other professions in a wide range of settings. Clinical scientists apply scientific principles to the delivery and development of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures and services, working closely with medical staff and other health care professionals. They develop equipment, participate in problem-orientated research and development and are involved in the audit of the services provided. Clinical scientists practice in one of several disciplines, including audiology, biomedical engineering, clinical biochemistry, clinical physiology, clinical microbiology, embryology, genetics, haematology, immunology and medical physics, working in different ways depending on the speciality. Some clinical scientists interact directly with patients and others give advice on which critical decisions are based.
Paramedics provide immediate care for patients in acute clinical emergencies.
They systematically assess, treat and monitor patients according to national clinical protocols, adapted to the requirements of local communities. The treatments provided include invasive procedures such as intravenous cannulation, incubation, the insertion of chest drains and the administration of a specified range of emergency medication, including analgesics. Paramedics would typically be the first health professionals on hand in an emergency. The broad effect of the order would be to extend the 1960 Act to those professions, alongside the nine that it already covers. Each order establishes a professional board within the umbrella of the Council for Professions Supplementary to Medicine.