Driven by a passion for authentic education in paramedic practice, Dave Halliwell shares his unique journey as an educator, his insights and vision. From early beginnings as a military medic attempting to convert his skills and knowledge to civilian prehospital care, through to his transformational approach to manikins and simulation, and more, Dave tells a story of curiosity, experimentation and a constant desire for education to impact the 'real world' of paramedic care.

Recorded by the sea in June 2025 in conversation with Gary Strong and Lewis Andrews, shortly before Dave's retirement.

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Did you know that paramedics can claim tax rebates for such items as uniform cleaning, professional registration and professional body membership? That includes making a claim for your membership of the College of Paramedics.

Clare Merrills, Head of PR, Press & Digital Communications at HMRC explains to Gary Strong how to set up an account and make a claim. Clare and Gary discuss what sort of claims can be made, the pros and cons of using an agent and the importance of claiming everything to which you are entitled.

Some information from HMRC:

Submitting a claim through HMRC’s online portal is straightforward and takes about 15 minutes. Customers can use the handy online tool to check eligibility and a full list of work expenses they can claim including: 

·     uniforms and work clothing  

·     buying work-related equipment 

·     professional fees, union memberships, and subscriptions 

·     using their own vehicle for work travel (excluding journey from home to work)  

Customers who already have a Government Gateway account can follow the step-by-step guidance to submit their claim. Those who need to set an account up can do so quickly and easily via GOV.UK.  

Gary Strong and Poppy Simmonds chat to Henry Agbor, a truly international paramedic, about his passion for the role of the paramedic in his home country and continent.

The theme for International Paramedics Day this year is What Paramedics Do. On July 8, the College of Paramedics, the professional body for paramedics in the UK will come together with more than 50 global paramedic associations, higher education institutions and affiliated organisations to raise awareness and create a better understanding of the breadth and depth of work carried out by paramedics around the world. As skilled clinicians, paramedics and first responders make an extraordinary contribution to health and social care systems across the globe, helping patients when they need it most and providing safe and effective treatment.

Being a paramedic is about 'being there when people need help the most'. Henry Agbor, MCPara.

Rory O'Connor with Adrian Chiles on Radio Five Live

Graham Clark MCPara, East of England Council Representative at the College of Paramedics talked on LBC Radio about extreme pressures on the ambulance service, including heatwave and staff absences due to COVID. 

 Jo Mildenhall MCPara, Paramedic Mental Health Project Lead at the College of Paramedics talks about paramedic mental health on radio Solent. 

Gary Strong talks to Krissie Stiles and David Wales about the ground breaking report Saving Lives is Not Enough: a casualty-centred proposal identifying how Fire and Rescue Services can improve pre-hospital care and quality of life outcomes for burn survivors.  

The report considers how actions on scene can help to determine long term quality of life outcomes, recognising that the casualty is the one who experiences the whole event from occurrence to recovery.  This discussion will be of particular interest to the paramedic community as well as to firefighters, emergency department clinicians and burns specialists.  The full report is available at https://tinyurl.com/SLINE2019 

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Krissie is a Burns and Plastics Clinical Nurse Specialist.

David is International Research Lead for the National Fire Chiefs Council and founder of the consultancy company SharedAim.

Gary is the National CPD Lead for the College of Paramedics

Podcast produced by the College of Paramedics https://collegeofparamedics.co.uk

Music by Rob Giles and The Stretch Report.

Gary Strong talks to Bo Escritt and Tracy Nicholls about what we can learn from the recent celebrations of Black History in order to address the challenges of diversity and representation in the paramedic profession.   2020 has brought a renewed understanding of the continued prevalence of racism and Covid 19 has shed a harsh light on contemporary health inequalities based on race.  How as a profession should we respond?

This podcast also gives the paramedic profession an opportunity to thank Malone Mukwende and the team at St George's University of London for freely sharing the Clinical Skills Handbook Mind the Gap, available at https://www.sgul.ac.uk/news/mind-the-gap-a-handbook-of-clinical-signs-on-black-and-brown-skin 

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Bo is a Human Resources, Diversity and Inclusion Professional, currently working as Diversity Advisor to the College of Paramedics.  Tracy is the Chief executive of the College of Paramedics.

Gary is the National CPD Lead for the College of Paramedics

Podcast produced by the College of Paramedics https://collegeofparamedics.co.uk

Music by Rob Giles and The Stretch Report.

Gary Strong talks to Islam Faqir and Matondo Manzeninga about Black History Month and their experiences as non-white paramedics.  What are the barriers to inclusivity that exist within the culture of the paramedic profession?  How can we go about breaking these down and ensuring that our profession becomes more representative of the communities it serves?

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Islam ('Izzy') is a Clinical Pathways Manager and Matondo an operational paramedic at Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust.  Both are members of the College of Paramedics Diversity Steering Group, which is chaired by Izzy.

Gary is the National CPD Lead for the College of Paramedics

Podcast produced by the College of Paramedics https://collegeofparamedics.co.uk

Music by Rob Giles and The Stretch Report.

Harriet Ashman talks to Gary Strong about the care of burn injured patients.  Burns can be life-changing for the patient.  These injuries are infrequently encountered by paramedics, yet the care given in the first period of time post injury can have a significant impact on injury prognosis.  How can we make sure that we are well prepared to act swiftly and appropriately when caring for burn injured patients?

Harriet has had a specialist interest in burns care since her undergraduate days.  This episode revisits and updates a conversation first recorded in 2018 when Harriet presented on the topic at the College of Paramedics National Conference.  It is released alongside a new e-learning module for paramedics written by Harriet, edited by specialist burns nurse Krissie Stiles and available at https://www.e-lfh.org.uk/programmes/paramedics 

Follow this series on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram via#paracpd

Harriet is a paramedic at South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Trust.

Gary is the National CPD Lead for the College of Paramedics

Podcast produced by the College of Paramedics https://collegeofparamedics.co.uk

Music by Rob Giles and The Stretch Report.