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** New Zealand paramedics association calls for national regulation after medic charged with sexual offences

** SIAST in Saskatchewan expands ACP training program

** Last week’s charging of an ambulance officer with serious sexual offences has prompted the country’s paramedic association to lobby for a national registry for paramedics. The Scoop (December 16) said a press release put out by Paramedics Australasia (December 13) quoted Chairperson Sharon Duthie as saying the time has come to ensure medics’ rights are protected and that they are  accountable for their actions. Duthie’s comments come after former Central Hawke’s Bay St. John practitioner Christopher Roger King, 47, was charged with unlawful sexual connection x 3, indecent assault x 2, and one count each of disabling/stupefying, and making an intimate visual recording. The New Zealand Herald (December 12) said King was charged in August, but was given an interim name suppression until last Thursday. The charges relate to four women, including a teenaged girl, and reach back to January 2010. King has denied any wrongdoing.

** SIAST is expanding its ACP paramedic training program to include its Saskatoon Kelsey Campus. CJME (December 13) said the change is in addition to the offering already at the college’s Wascana Campus in Regina. Thirty-two student slots will now be available. Saskatchewan EMS Association spokesman Gerry Schriemer welcomed the move. Schriemer said rural areas, STARS air ambulance, and the growing mining and oil sectors will benefit from the change.

** Calgary community paramedic program getting thumbs up

** Rhode Island ambulance volunteer charged with both petit and grand larceny

** Calgary’s community paramedic program is being deemed a success. That is the word from CTV Calgary (Colleen Schmidt/December 11) which said the year long pilot for the initiative has apparently eased pressure on city ERs. According to the newspaper, 10 specially trained paramedics have attended 1480 calls to homes occupied by seniors. Referrals are given to the program by family doctors, as well as clinics and other caregivers. Along with assessing patient health, program medics can also do ECGs, blood collection, oral and IV medication administration and wound care.

** A Rhode Island volunteer EMT has been charged with grand and petit larceny after he allegedly stole his service’s debit card and used it to make personal purchases. WNYT (Cadence Acquaviva/December 15) said Providence Volunteer Ambulance Corps member Scott Moody, 19, was arrested Saturday after the service filed a complaint with police earlier this month. According to the news service, Moody allegedly used the card to buy $600 worth of cigarettes and gasoline. Reaching back to September, the alleged crimes may have extended up to the point of his arrest. A court date has not yet been set