Welsh Ambulance Service working with the Army for specialist training
The Welsh Ambulance Service is working in collaboration with the 203 (Welsh) Multi-Role Medical Regiment in training new Cymru High Acuity Response Unit recruits.
CHARU staff are paramedics with enhanced skills who respond to the most urgent 999 calls, including cardiac arrests, road traffic collisions and major trauma incidents.
The relationship between the Welsh Ambulance Service and the military offers an opportunity to share expertise and equipment whilst benefitting from facilities held by the military and learning from their experience.
The first CHARU training course was held on May 20th at the Army Reserve centre in Swansea.
The Cymru High Acuity Response Unit resource was developed in 2022, training more than 150 staff in this role to date. However, the demand for sites and the specialist nature of the training means only a small number of premises are suitable.
Collaborative working now allows for infrequently used CHARU equipment to be put to use by 203 (Welsh) MMR.
The relationship also allows CHARU staff to learn in realistic training environments as well as working with military staff who have trauma experience. Similarly, ambulance staff are able to share their ‘in the field’ experience, for example, cardiac arrest management.
Andy Swinburn, Executive Director of Paramedicine said: “This is an excellent example of working together across different organisations to pool resources and use them effectively.
“We are excited to see what enhancements this can bring to both organisations to improve the care we offer to the sickest patients”.
WO1 James for 203 (Welsh) Multi-Role Medical Regiment said: “Our Combat Medical Technicians, Paramedics and Ambulance Practitioner’s benefit enormously from training alongside colleagues from the Welsh Ambulance Service, whilst we are equally proud to share the lessons our military medics have learned from operational deployments.
“Together, we are developing highly skilled clinicians who are better prepared to respond to emergencies and deliver exceptional patient care whenever and wherever they are needed.
“The new facility at Morfa detachment in Swansea (Army Reserve Centre) reflects a shared commitment to excellence, innovation and continuous professional development, ensuring that both military and civilian clinicians remain at the forefront of emergency medical care.”