Specialist HEMS training centre opened

Midlands Air Ambulance Charity has opened an education and training centre at the Tatenhill airbase in Staffordshire, UK. The HEMS provider said the move was made as part of its commitment to advanced clinical training and development.

The new building forms part of the service’s ongoing clinical and operational plan and is the charity’s second education facility – the first opened in 2013 at the Strensham airbase in Worcestershire.

The Tatenhill Education and Training Centre includes a meeting room and a specially designed scenario simulation room, complete with medical equipment and props to enable flight paramedics and doctors to act out various scenarios as part of their advanced medical training. The room, described by the charity ‘as one of a kind’ in the air ambulance sector, allows the simulation of both indoor and outdoor environments.

Dr Nick Crombie, clinical lead for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, said: “As a world-class air ambulance operator, continued improvement through the training and development of our flight paramedics and doctors is paramount. The new centre at Tatenhill is part of our five-year strategic plan to ensure the aircrew have the best possible training, and to test and build their clinical skills in some of the most difficult and traumatic situations they may face in real life.” He added: “The new facility will also provide space for our clinical meetings and clinical research analysis, helping to develop the future of pre-hospital emergency patient care.”

The centre is also being offered to schools and colleges who want to find out more about the charity and the lifesaving service.