Laerdal hosts seminar on Pre-hospital education using simulation

In association with the College of Paramedics, British Paramedic Association (BPA), Laerdal Medical hosted a "Pre-hospital education using simulation" symposium on 5th/6th February 2008. Utilising excellent conference and hospitality facilities at the Thistle Hotel, Brands Hatch, and state-of-the-art simulation training facilities at Laerdal's own training centre in Orpington (LTC); Laerdal welcomed, informed and entertained trainers and educators representing some 50 ambulance, air ambulance, police, fire and military organisations throughout the UK and Ireland.

Jonathan Smart, Managing Director of Laerdal Medical, explained, "The objective of this symposium was to introduce the concept and the need for simulation training in the pre-hospital sector and builds on the experience that Laerdal UK has gained over the years running similar symposia in the in-hospital sector."

Over two days, a programme of presentations by 10 eminent UK pre-hospital healthcare professionals explored the significance of crew resource management (CRM), the implementation of simulation training across a number of different platforms, the power of audio and visual feedback and the parallels between training and career progression.

Speakers included: Professor Keith Porter, Consultant Trauma Surgeon, Andy Newton from SECAMB, Will Hughes from the College of Search & Rescue Training, Helge Lorentzen from the SAFER Centre, Norway, Dr Fiona Jewkes from the ASA, David Halliwell from South Western AS NHS Trust, Colin Harwood from University of Hertfordshire, Jack Simpson from the University of the West of Scotland, Ken Spearpoint from the Imperial College of Healthcare NHS Trust, Dr Ian Curran, Associate Dean for Simulation and Faculty Development, London Deanery, University of London and Bob Fellows from London Ambulance NHS Trust.

In addition to the presentations, four interactive simulation workshops were held at the Laerdal Training Centre (LTC). These covered:

A typical mobile scenario and debrief session for paramedics using an ALS Simulator and live audio/visual technology

A neo-natal simulated emergency using Laerdal's new "SimNewB"

How to create realistic effects with make-up on humans and patient simulators

Review sessions on Micro-Sim and Laerdal's newest products, the Laerdal MediCool Kit and the Resusci Anne Skill Station.

The event, which was CPD accredited, was acclaimed as a valuable educational experience by delegates, helping to further strengthen Laerdal's position at the very forefront of education through simulation.

Delegate Nic Myatt, Skills Training Manager (Immediate Emergency Care) at London Fire Brigade said, "Laerdal provided equipment, training aids and advice to support the introduction of the London Fire Brigade's Immediate Emergency Care Programme. With the introduction of automated external defibrillators, Stifneck® collars, suction devices and oropharyngeal airways onto fire engines, maintaining staff competence is equally as important as the initial training.
As we improve our capabilities to provide emergency first aid at incidents, the Brigade is always interested in news ways of learning and welcomes the development of simulation systems such as MicroSim and SimMan alongside existing training solutions developed by Laerdal."

Closing the conference, Roland Furber, Chief Executive of the BPA said, "This symposium has met if not exceeded my expectations. Thank you to all the speakers who have shared with us their expert knowledge and thank you to Laerdal whose contribution has been outstanding."

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http://www.laerdal.com/