South Essex emergency care boosted by new recruits

Eleven new student ambulance paramedics
have been dispatched to South Essex, ready to aid those in need of emergency medical care.

They have completed 13 weeks of rigorous training at the ambulance training centre
in Broomfield, Chelmsford. The course included two five-week blocks of clinical instruction, which concluded with practical and theoretical exams to test
the students' competency.

Working under course leader Mick Carter and lead tutor Emmalouise Ramis, the students have learnt key clinical
skills including:

• Medical assessment and treatment

• Trauma management

• Maternity

• Major incident management

Following the completion of their clinical course, the students have undertaken an intensive three-week course on driving under emergency conditions
and last month the students were given certificates at a special presentation at Broomfield.

Head of workforce and development Jill Whelan praised them for the commitment
demonstrated throughout their training. "I have every confidence in their skills and knowledge, and that they will give the best care to patients
they can. "They are going to the same
area which means they can keep in good contact and support one another through the rest of their study and careers."

To complement the demanding training they have already done, the SAPs will continue to acquire further skills on a university-
run programme, which will lead to their qualification as state-registered paramedics.

Emmalouise added: "Everyone's been a pleasure to work with and have made it very easy for us." The students will
be based at Rayleigh, Basildon, Southend and Thurrock.