Deborah Lopez

Qualifications

Certificate of Education in Paramedic Science, MSc Advancing Health Care Practice

Specialisms

Registered Paramedic - frontline emergency ambulances and rapid response cars

Introduction

I began employment with the ambulance service in 2008 and in 2009 started to work on emergency ambulance vehicles and on front line duties, responding to 999 emergency and urgent calls initially as a student, then as a qualified emergency technician in training as a student paramedic. I qualified as a registered paramedic in 2015 and practice autonomously, leading care and decision making in the community. My speciality is in pre-hospital care responding to 999 calls, administering emergency medicine and interventions, making decisions about whether to transport a patient to hospital or treat in the community and/or refer to different primary care services. I have experience at managing and treating trauma, medical, maternity, and mental health emergencies and I am experienced in treating adults and children. I also have experience in planning ongoing care when hospital is not required and am familiar with the associated guidelines. During my time with the ambulance service I became a clinical trainer and worked as a mentor throughout. I also led service improvement projects with regard to clinical compliance with emergency care bundles.

I left the ambulance service as a full time Paramedic to broaden my experience in healthcare leadership and currently work for MNSI as an investigator of safety incidents. As part of my role with MNSI I am a clinical advisor in pre-hospital care and therefore routinely report on ambulance activity connected with our maternity remit. I use relevant research and national and local guidelines to inform my reports and recommendations. I continue to be employed as a bank paramedic and work regularly on frontline vehicles and keep a current portfolio of clinical and professional record. 

I began working for the health and care professions council (HCPC) tribunal service in 2023 as a registrant panel member. I do not currently write reports for the service; my role is that I sit as part of a tribunal panel and give expert advice on clinical matters in comparison with national guidelines to make informed decisions in fitness to practice cases. My role within the HCPC has now further developed as an assessor of international paramedic applicants. This calls for me to assess compliance with professional and clinical standard before an applicant from abroad can register with the HCPC. 

I accept instructions from both claimant and defendant solicitors and insurers. I have undergone formal training in the medico-legal process and am fully aware of my responsibilities under Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) pertaining to expert witnesses.