Hope for change

Paramedic training is about to be upgraded

There are only 752 professional paramedics in Upper Austria(Bild: Österreichisches Rotes Kreuz)

Maybe something will happen after all!" Those paramedics in Upper Austria who are hoping that their occupation will actually become a profession are sensing a breath of fresh air. 

So far, there is no apprenticeship or academic training. And the Federal Association of Rescue Services is calling for this - a three-year course at university level, as is standard in almost all EU countries.

Pushed to the sidelines
As reported, the ready-made new paramedic law was recently sidelined in Vienna - allegedly due to pressure from Upper Austria. However, the new government's programme now reads: "New paramedic law - pushing ahead with modernization and professionalization while retaining the volunteer system".

752 professional paramedics in Upper Austria
The Upper Austrian Red Cross President Gottfried Hirz fears for the latter if the basic training of paramedics is set too high - after all, there are 752 professional paramedics in Upper Austria compared to 7128 colleagues who volunteer.

However, if the government wants to advance another goal, vocational training will not be an option: Because permeability between healthcare professions is to be made more possible, specifically citing "paramedic to nursing profession".