Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Training – 4626 AE SQN, RAF Brize Norton

On Fri 10 May, a specialist training day was set aside by 4626 Aeromedical Evacuation Sqn with the sole focus of Pre Hospital Emergency Care (PHEC) training.

The training was specifically designed to address feedback from Sqn personnel around the level to which they feel prepared ahead of attending one or more of the core military medical courses; Battlefield Advance Trauma Life Support (BATLS), Major Incident Medical Management and Support (MIMMS) or the Medical Emergency Response Teams (MERT) cse. It also sought to address feedback from personnel asking for training to give them increased awareness of the pre-hospital environment and treatments, this was particularly related to nurses working in Intensive Care. The TMW training hangar was made available, including various medical resources i.e. medical bergens, training kit and access to the CH47 and Puma rear crew trainers.

Previously PHEC training has been incorporated in to the training weekend programme; however, this then formed only one element of what may be a number of demands on the training time; e.g. RAFFT; mandatory briefs; admin tasks. As a result, the training time available, and availability of pers can be highly variable. The day allowed for 7 hours of pure (uninterrupted) PHEC focussed activity and allowed all participants to focus on the theory and practical aspect of the various PHEC procedures..

The course was supported by registered Sqn personnel that are members of PHEC teaching faculty for one or more of the courses listed above (BATLS, MIMMS or MERT). This proved to be extremely valuable, as each member could compare and contrast between the military system and the NHS. Time was of the essence and every opportunity was taken to listen, look and learn, but then reflect on the procedures and consider the impact on the patient.

7 sqn personnel attended in the capacity of faculty and 14 Sqn members attended and undertook the training. The day consisted of an introduction to each of the 3 courses listed above; what it is; what it does; how best to approach it; this was then followed with a practical demonstration by faculty of a BATLS patient assessment. The course also included the introduction and discussion of performance psychology – e.g. how to approach assessed moulages as a challenge rather than a threat; common errors people make when being assessed and how to address / avoid them. Throughout the day it was a 1 : 3 ratio (instructor to Student) practical skills stations. The day ended with a series of MERT style multi-casualty patient lifts on the various platforms with each ‘student’ being individually mentored / guided by a member of faculty.

The verbal feedback from all those that attended was overwhelmingly positive and it is planned to hold up to 3 courses over a 12 month period and if possible extend the invite to all Medical Reserves.