10th May 2016
Happy birthday to our renowned Pre-Hospital Care Course, which has reached double figures this year. Taking place this week, the course is a requirement for all new London’s Air Ambulance doctors and paramedics to undertake and is an intense, seven-day journey through the various aspects of pre-hospital care.
Formerly the Helicopter Crew Course, with a key focus on practical elements and examinations, the course includes medical simulations of pre-hospital scenarios that our teams would commonly attend in London. It is taught three times a year by experienced doctors and paramedics from our existing staff, and is designed to test teamwork, scene management skills, clinical excellence and the endurance of each and every participant.
Developed in 2006 together with our colleagues at the Great North Air Ambulance, the medical content has advanced continually since the course’s early days, reflecting key innovations in advanced trauma care, and includes extensive topics relevant for the education of our new doctors and paramedics. It is also open to additional candidates who are nominated by the clinical leads of various services with which we are connected, both in the UK and abroad.
Consultant at London’s Air Ambulance and Clinical Director of The Institute, Dr Gareth Grier said: “Since the course’s inception, London’s Air Ambulance has trained just under 500 doctors and paramedics involved in trauma care services across the UK and overseas, as well as in the military. The course is tough, but the reality of advanced trauma care is tough too. We aim to test all participants to the maximum, challenge them, and equip them with the shareable knowledge that will help to save more lives.”
The Pre-Hospital Care Course forms a part of The Institute, the aim of which is to build upon and expand our research, innovation and education activities, with a mission to drive excellence in pre-hospital care standards. It supports and fosters collaboration across medical disciplines and institutions dedicated to improving outcomes for people afflicted by critical injury and illness.
More about The Institute of Pre-Hospital Care at London's Air Ambulance
Photo credit: Lee Parker