University News Last updated 16 May 2011
Seventeen RAF Medics who graduated from Birmingham City University are being trained for service in Afghanistan.
In February the Service men and women graduated from the University’s Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences after completing a Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care (Paramedic Science) (FdSc). The highly qualified graduates are now undergoing further training to enhance their military skills in readiness for deployment as part of emergency medical teams in Afghanistan and across the world.
Over a period of about eight the RAF Medics studied modules that were varied, covering anatomy & physiology, clinical skills, trauma, pharmacology; cardiology, obstetrics, gynaecology and paediatric care. This was in addition to academic subjects such as evidence-based practice, critical analysis and academic writing. To pass the course they undertook four written examinations, five assignments, ranging from 1500 to 3500 words, a variety of practical skills examinations and a series of practice-based competencies whilst working with West Midlands Ambulance Service and local hospital clinical placement facilities.
The successful achievement of this qualification has allowed them to become registered with the Health Professions Council (HPC) as qualified Paramedics. This also means that they will be able to use the official title of ‘Paramedic’ and provide a boost to the ambulance service as they continue to work alongside NHS colleagues.
The medics graduated in February at a ceremony which was held at RAF Lyneham, Wiltshire. It was attended by some of the RAF’s senior officers with certificates presented by the Head of the RAF’s medical services, AVM C B Morris QHS MBBS FFOM MMedSci DRCOG DAvMed, RAF Chief of Staff Health and Director General Medical Services (Royal Air Force). Tony Spence, who is one of the course from Birmingham City University said: “The students were brilliant, I really enjoyed their company and they represented the RAF very well indeed.”
The University’s Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences, is the largest provider of qualified health and social care staff to the NHS and has the UK’s only contract to educate the Armed Forces’ adult nurses and other health practitioners. Based the purpose-built £30million Seacole Building the Faculty’s provision is constantly rated as excellent and supported by replica hospital facilities - including mock hospital wards and operating theatres – and cutting-edge simulation learning environments.