Batt AM, Harring AKV, Bolster JL. Who gets to be sick? Paramedicine. 2026;0(0). doi:10.1177/27536386261497240

In this editorial we question the role that paramedics play in determining who is recognised as a legitimate recipient of healthcare, whose account of suffering is believed, whose needs are considered ‘appropriate’ for a particular service, and whose presentation is instead reclassified as social, behavioural, ‘inappropriate’ or misuse.

We offer that the contradiction is in the system, and challenge the profession to take time to reflect, and then actively and knowingly participate in redefining what counts as illness, whose suffering becomes visible, whose knowledge is believed, and whose needs are considered legitimate enough to receive care.