Our Isle of Wight Ambulance Service (IWAS) recently ran a night exercise training event. The simulated incident provided high-fidelity specialist training for IWAS staff working alongside Emergency Department colleagues and our partners within the Hampshire and IOW Air Ambulance (HIOWAA). It also included partnership working with our cross-Solent operators Solent and Wightline Cruises, who have been supporting Cowes to Southampton emergency crossings on behalf of the Trust, as well as colleagues from Southampton General Hospital.
The exercise simulated an evolving incident in real-time, and incorporated all aspects of the emergency response, including patient stabilisation in hospital and onward transfer to the Major Trauma Centre in Southampton. It provided a stress test of our cross Solent capabilities.
Paramedics including our Enhanced Skills Paramedics in Critical Care, were examined in delivery of their enhanced trauma management skills, complex decision making and communication within and between different agencies and services.
The exercise took place at an undisclosed location on the evening of Tuesday 3 May 2022. It began with a transfer to St. Marys Hospital and then travelled onwards to Cowes followed by Southampton General Hospital. By not disclosing the location, the incident was presented in the most realistic scenario possible for those attending.
Dr John Pike, Medical Lead for IWAS said:
"Managing a complex multi-agency trauma at night on an offshore island is always challenging and our skilled clinical teams are well-versed in the complex decision-making required. This large-scale training incident utilised high-fidelity simulation to develop and support high levels of clinical leadership and use of enhanced skills and decision-making.
“Working with colleagues from other agencies makes a huge difference to how we provide exceptional care for our Island community. We are delighted to have the constant support of all our partners which enables us to run such a realistic and large-scale simulated incident.”
