ANNIE JENKIN and RUTH ENDACOTT describe a shared learning programme for emergency nurses and paramedics which meets the challenge of emergency care through interprofessional education

Emergency care is in the media spotlight, but is also in the unenviable position of facing an increasing workload (Ball et al 2000) with tighter government targets, for example, to reduce patient waiting times to be received into A&E or to be admitted to the appropriate area for further care (Audit Commission 2001). Similarly, the need to reduce ‘pain to needle’ time for the patient suffering acute myocardial infarction has been emphasised (DoH 2000a). Meeting such targets, and the essence of NHS modernisation (DoH 2000b), requires teamwork between the professionals involved. This paper shares the experiences of developing interprofessional education and working across traditional boundaries.