Medics’ lifelike trauma training

Emergency staff have been taking part in a special trauma course at Forth Valley Royal Hospital – believed to be the first of its kind in Scotland.

Fifteen participants from five health boards spent the day battling to save lives at the Scottish Centre for Simulation and Clinical Human Factors.

Consultants, surgeons, anaesthetists, paramedics and other emergency staff were working on hi-tech mannequins dressed to look like trauma victims – complete with ‘bloodsoaked’ tissues.

They were required to deal with five different scenarios. Among them was the story of a patient discovered with gunshot wounds and severe facial injuries due to someone stamping on his head. He was found slumped in a doorway with his airway compromised.

The course was organised by NHS Forth Valley emergency medicine consultants Dr Roger Alcock and Dr Laura McGregor.

Roger said: “When we surveyed trainees and nontraining grade doctors they told us trauma was one of the areas they needed more exposure to.

“The training is also timely with the development of the Scottish Trauma Network and provides an opportunity to tailor a bespoke simulation course for inter-professional dialogue and training.”