Simulated emergency gives school children an insight into the skills of medical staff

School pupils from Swindon's Lydiard Park Academy were given a close up view of how NHS staff work at the cutting edge of medical care.
The year 10 youngsters, who were joined by pupils from St John's Academy in Marlborough, took part in a simulated emergency.

The event was organised by Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, in partnership with Oxford Brookes University Bristol Medical School, and took place at the University’s Swindon campus.

Students were given an insight into how medical staff work closely to treat a patient for a trauma at the scene of an accident, before transferring them to the care of hospital staff.

Oxford Brookes’ clinical skills suites provided the hospital setting, where the students followed the patient’s journey from the Emergency Department, to the operating theatre and then to multidisciplinary team care on the ward.

A number of areas of healthcare were covered during the day, including medicine, midwifery, operating department practice, nursing, paramedic science and physiotherapy.

Students also got the opportunity to learn basic clinical skills, including CPR and how to take observations.

Dr Andrea Pereira, Clinical Teaching Fellow from Great Western Hospital, said: “This was a really exciting and engaging event for local school children to witness the teamwork and dedication from those who work in the NHS.

“We wanted to highlight the importance of the service, and show the students that from the paramedics through to theatre staff, nurses and everyone else involved in patient care, the NHS is a truly joined-up organisation that is always on hand to provide help to those who need it. 

“This was also a good opportunity for any of the students who are considering a career in the NHS to find out more, and to ask any questions about the way that the service runs, or about how staff provide treatment to the sickest of patients.”

Chloe Rich, a lecturer from Oxford Brookes University’s Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, commented: “We are delighted to be joining Great Western Hospital and Bristol Medical School again with this community simulation event. It is great to provide such a realistic and inspirational experience for school children on Oxford Brookes’ Swindon Campus. 

“Oxford Brookes’ staff and students play a key role in this important community engagement activity which provides a truly unique insight into the amazing work taking place in the NHS every single day.”