The College of Paramedics is thrilled to announce that we have been granted the Charter of Incorporation by His Majesty King Charles III.

The Royal Charter was granted to the College in recognition of its objectives to inspire and enable all paramedics to participate in the profession within an environment based on safety, collegiality, inclusiveness, mental and physical wellbeing and innovation.

The issue of the Royal Charter represents an important milestone in the development of the College of Paramedics, provides recognition for the profession, gives strength to our professional voice and leadership and offers our members a moment of immense pride. It also cements the College in perpetuity, meaning that there will always be a College of Paramedics for the future, supporting and guiding the profession forevermore.

Chief Executive of the College of Paramedics, Tracy Nicholls said: “I am delighted we have been able to achieve this on behalf of our members, and to strengthen the College for the future. Gaining the Royal Charter is the first step towards being granted the title ‘Royal’ but our journey to increase leadership and development across our profession has a solid foundation for future chartered titles and more scope for development of paramedics.”

President of the College of Paramedics, Jon Price said: “I am extremely proud that the College of Paramedics has received this level of recognition, and this represents a monumental effort from a large number of people who have tirelessly worked with the College since its inception to get us to this point.

“The College has been recognised as a well-run charity whose purpose brings value, not only to its members but the nation as a whole. It is also recognition for every paramedic in the UK and beyond, in whatever professional setting you work, that your contribution to the profession is absolutely acknowledged and valued.”

The College of Paramedics began life as the British Paramedic Association on December 14, 2001, when it was established as the professional body for paramedics in the UK. Three years later, the organisation rebranded itself the College of Paramedics and within 15 years of its inception, the College had 10,000 members. This figure has continued to grow over the years and today stands at more than 20,000 members.

Since its early days, the College has been instrumental in developing the paramedic profession and was responsible for writing the first standards of proficiency for paramedics in 2004, introducing the British Paramedic Journal, presenting the first paramedic curriculum framework in 2006, raising the threshold for entry to the Health and Care Professions Council’s register to degree status and achieving independent prescribing for paramedics. More recently, thanks to the College’s work with Public Health England and NHS England Public Health Commissioning and Operations, it was announced in September 2023 that primary care paramedics would be able to undertake the training required to become sample takers in the NHS Cervical Screening Programme.

Several of these achievements occurred under the presidency of Dr John Martin, who has been a member of the College since 2004 and was president between 2017 and 2023, and who has been invaluable in guiding the College on its path to Royal Charter status.

Dr John Martin, currently Chief Executive of South Western Ambulance Service, on secondment from his role as Chief Paramedic and Quality Officer and Deputy Chief Executive at London Ambulance Service said: “This is a fantastic acknowledgment that paramedics have become a key part of society delivering as a trusted profession to patients. The recognition through a Royal Charter confirms this and means the College of Paramedics will now be in place to support ongoing development for generations to come. It’s excellent news!”