Catherine Hofton, Registered Paramedic
Qualifications
IHCD ambulance paramedic, BSc (Hons) Emergency Care, MSc Advanced Clinical Practice
Specialisms
GP Surgery, Community - District Nursing, Elderly Care/Frailty, Palliative Care, Non-Medical Prescriber
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Professional Experience
Currently, I work as an Advanced Clinical Practitioner in primary care, managing urgent presentations as the duty clinician in a GP surgery. I also work across Out of Hours services, Acute Respiratory Clinics, and Urgent Care Centres. My role includes managing complex care, conducting medication reviews, interpreting test results, and supporting nursing and dispensary teams. I liaise regularly with residential and nursing homes and handle a wide range of clinical presentations across all age groups, from acute emergencies to end-of-life care.
I began my career in the ambulance service in 1997, progressing from non-urgent patient transport to qualifying as a paramedic via the IHCD route in 2000. In 2007, I became one of the first Emergency Care Practitioners in Gloucestershire, delivering a ‘see and treat’ model to reduce unnecessary hospital conveyance.
In 2014, I transitioned into a multidisciplinary community team aimed at preventing hospital admissions by delivering treatments such as IV antibiotics and fluids in patients’ homes. The team, comprising advanced paramedics, nurses, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists, achieved significant reductions in admissions through early intervention and home-based care.
My career has spanned emergency, urgent, and primary care settings, equipping me with a broad clinical skill set and extensive experience in managing diverse and complex presentations. I have developed expertise in recognising and treating life-threatening conditions, identifying sepsis, differentiating viral and bacterial infections, and managing mental health crises.
Professional Development
I hold a BSc (Hons) in Emergency Care and a Master’s Degree in Advanced Clinical Practice. Since the legislative change in 2018, I have been an independent prescriber. My background reflects a deep understanding of the evolving paramedic role, particularly its integration into multidisciplinary teams and primary care environments.
I maintain my professional development by attending relevant training.
Medico Legal Experience
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.