At all incidents where casualty care is provided, it should be assumed that there is a hazard of infectious diseases for emergency responders. For further information refer to Operations – Infectious diseases.
Casualty care point
Personnel can assist the medical response in planning for the care of the casualty, by establishing a casualty care point if required. This designated area can be used by medical responders for resuscitating, assessing or treating a casualty.
Multi-agency working
There may be some differences between the clinical governance and practices of ambulance trusts that operate in a fire and rescue service area. Early co-location, communication and establishing a joint understanding of risk is important to ensure any variance in approaches between ambulance trusts is understood.
Fire and rescue services should ensure policies and training are aligned with multi-agency partners, and appropriately communicates local clinical governance to allow effective decision-making.
Consent
Consent should be obtained before administering medical treatment, if possible and appropriate. However, it may not be necessary to obtain consent if the casualty needs emergency treatment to save their life.
The British Medical Association defines obtaining consent as:
In an emergency situation, if the patient has the capacity, consent must be obtained before treatment is provided. Where it is not possible to obtain consent, responders should provide treatment that is in the patient’s best interests and is immediately necessary to save life or avoid significant deterioration to the patient’s health.