International Paramedics Day 2024 on Monday 8 July will showcase the breadth and depth of work carried out by paramedics around the world. Launched in 2022 by the UK’s College of Paramedics, International Paramedics Day takes place every year on this date in July to mark the anniversary of the birth of Dominique-Jean Larrey – the man often referred to as the ‘father of modern-day ambulance services‘.
This year’s theme – ‘The Difference We Make’ – will highlight the profound impact paramedics make every single day around the world. From emergencies to the quieter moments of care, paramedics embody a commitment to making a difference in whichever setting they work. The theme will focus on the work undertaken by paramedics and their dedication to instigate positive change within their workplaces, universities, medical centres and communities. Paramedics and organisations can get involved by sharing their own stories and submissions of how they made a difference via this submissions page.
International Paramedics Day aims to:
- Celebrate paramedics and first responders around the globe and the vital role they play.
- Acknowledge the difference paramedics make to people’s lives in almost every imaginable situation.
- Raise awareness of all the settings where paramedics work including primary and secondary care, GP surgeries, military, offshore, helicopter emergency medical services, education, research and telephone triage systems.
- Promote the profession to aspiring paramedics and students.
Since 2022, International Paramedics Day has been created, organised and run by the College of Paramedics in the UK, with support from the agencies such as the Irish Paramedicine and Education Research Network (IPERN) and a wide range of other professional paramedics’ organisations from around the world.
