The latest from our clinical training team

Behind every life-saving mission is an ongoing commitment to training, learning and collaboration. Our training team work hard to deliver an extensive programme to strengthen knowledge and clinical skills. From simulation-based learning to specialist development, this work ensures our crew can continue to provide hospital-level care to patients across Dorset and Somerset.

Previous training update

Take a look at the last update, where the team focused on surgical skills, airway management and evidence-based practice.

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Recent training highlights

Operating 19 hours a day, 365 days a year, our highly skilled clinical team respond to thousands of call outs annually, delivering life-saving care to the most critically ill and injured patients across the region.

Each mission is different, with our crew often working in complex and unpredictable pre-hospital environments where advanced skills and quick decision-making are essential. Ongoing training plays a vital role in ensuring our doctors and critical care practitioners are ready to provide expert care at the scene, giving patients the best possible chance of survival.

February – Medical Emergencies

The theme for February’s training day was medical emergencies, which account for approximately 30% of our prehospital critical care workload.

We were delighted to welcome guest speaker Dr Hesham Ibrahim, who shared his expertise on cardiac emergencies and presented a number of interesting cases from across the region.

The team also took part in simulations involving a life-threatening asthma case, alongside complex diabetic and thermal emergency scenarios.

Our PHEM trainee, Dr Mike Eddie, concluded the day with an excellent teaching session on blood gas interpretation.

A huge thank you to everyone who facilitated, taught and contributed to another valuable day of learning.

March – Medical Advisor Training

In March, we explored major incidents, specifically the role of Medical Advisor — a position members of our clinical team may undertake during a mass casualty incident.

This annual programme delivered by South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWAST) ensures that our doctors, Specialist Practitioners in Critical Care (SPCCs) and Advanced Clinical Practitioners (ACPs) remain current and prepared to fulfil this role.

The day included tabletop simulations, triage decision-making exercises and some friendly competition, all designed to strengthen decision-making in these challenging environments.

April – Farm Safety at Coastland College

In April, Team DSAA headed to the farm. 

We were incredibly fortunate to have access to the training facilities at the beautiful Kingston Maurward campus, where we worked alongside the team at Coastland College to deliver a dedicated farm safety training day.

The packed programme included:

• An introduction to farm safety, injuries patterns and data from the National Farmers’ Union (NFU)
• Mental health awareness and resources to address the high rates of depression, isolation, and suicide in the agricultural industry
• Teaching farmer students how to perform CPR, control catastrophic bleeding and prepare for a helicopter landing
• Expert talks on working safely around animals and machinery, as well as the risks associated with silos and slurry pits
• Clinical teaching on traumatic amputation and the impact of anaesthesia on survival

Of course, no day on the farm would be complete without a visit to the dairy farm, meeting the cows and seeing the tractors.

Training Lead and Critical Care Practitioner, Amy:

"Special thanks to Marie Taylor and John Lockett from Coastland College, Sarah Stephens from the NFU, Alix Morley from Yellow Wellies, Dean Lewis from HART, Dr Caroline Leech and Dr Amy Nelson, as well as our own Claire Baker, Lauren Dyson, Ian Mew, Kevin Rutherford and Struan Reid.

Your contributions to the planning, outreach, injury prevention and education are greatly appreciated".