NHS major trauma course

NHS staff learn advanced serious accident techniques 25/7/14

NHS Western Isles is the first health board in Scotland to hold a renowned European Trauma Course for healthcare staff dealing with patients injured in serious accidents.

Twelve medical and nursing staff from NHS Western Isles gained extra and enhanced life-savings skills after passing the course which was provided by a faculty of consultants from the North East of England.

The course provides hands-on experience for the participants in dealing with accidents involving injuries to the head and chest as well as burns.

Practical skills such as chest drain insertion, application of a variety of splints, advanced airway interventions and interpretation of a variety of x-rays and scans were included as part of the course.

NHS Western Isles Chief Executive Gordon Jamieson said: “In an area like the Western Isles, which is remote from specialist treatment centres on the mainland, it is vitally important that our staff are trained to the highest possible level in the initial assessment, care and stabilisation of severely injured patients.”