University News Last updated 19 March 2013
In a unique collaboration, healthcare students from Birmingham City University will join firefighters to help manage a major incident in a dramatic accident scenario.
A realistic 'road crash' with multiple casualties will be simulated at the University’s City South campus at Westbourne Road, Edgbaston, tomorrow (Wednesday 20 March) from 1:30pm – 3:30pm.
The West Midlands Fire Service will be challenged to rescue victims from the wreckage and casualties will be rushed to the authentic hospital facilities based at Birmingham City University’s state-of-the-art Seacole Building. More than 100 final-year students will be on stand-by to put their expert training into practice in the real-time scenario.
Latest simulation techniques
Volunteers using the latest simulation techniques will be used as patients, along with state-of-art medical mannequins. To compound the pressure, media students from the University will also act as a roving news team eager to get the full story behind the incident – and health managers will have to stage regular press conferences.
“This will be as realistic as it gets. For the first time we will be working with the fire service to create a major incident which our health students are likely to face for real in their professional lives,” said Professor Maxine Lintern, Associate Dean at Birmingham City University’s Faculty of Health.
“The event will include student nurses, paramedics, radiographers, scientists, operating department practitioners from Birmingham City University and medical students from the University of Birmingham. “The scenario aims to test students’ communication skills and their ability to work as a multi-disciplinary team – putting them in a situation which they may well find themselves in once they finish University and take on roles in the healthcare sector. “
The challenge will be for them to act together as a unit to provide the best care and treatment for the ‘patients’ as the event unfolds in real time.” The event is supported by the Higher Education Academy and is expected to provide a training model for the rest of the health education sector.
Schedule
13:30 – Start of simulation. Patients are treated on the wards and in A&E
13:35 – “Hospital” staff informed of incident / Fire Service begin extrication of incident Casualties from car / media en-route to scene and hospital
15:00 – End of simulation.
Follow the action live on Twitter on Wednesday – #not real
For any queries or concerns regarding the event please call 0121 331 6181 during working hours. There is no disruption to traffic flow on Westbourne Road anticipated on the day.