The FPHC and the Faculty of Disaster Medicine - India and Nepal have worked together to deliver two Pre-Hospital Trauma Care Courses with Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (deemed university) (SRIHER). This is the first step in a programme aimed at helping to support the wider development of pre-hospital care. The second step is to run a train-the-trainers course at SRIHER in October 2023 with the aim of developing local faculty. The ambitious, long-term vision of this pilot programme is to enable low- and middle- income countries to build their clinical capacity and enhance the delivery of pre-hospital care.
This initiative started with a proposal from Dr Peter Patel to the Board of FPHC for support to develop an international course for Pre-hospital Care which would be linked to role of pre-hospital care in disasters with mass casualties and conflicts and appropriate for developing countries who do not have resources of western developed countries.
FPHC Board agreed to support this programme and two consultations were carried out at Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Educations and Research (SRIHER), Chennai and Amrita Institute of Medical Science, Kochi on course contents, current paramedic training in the country, needs and feasibility of developing and delivery of an international course with expert doctors (Emergency Medicine consultants, Professors and senior paramedic trainers). This was followed by an assessment visit to SRIHER, Chennai by Dr David Bruce (Chair of Training and Standards Cttee and International Development Lead, FPHC, RCS Ed) and Dr Rob Russell (Consultant in Emergency Medicine, Defence Medicine, Member of FPHC) in February 2019.
The assessment found SRIHER facilities for training 'fit for purpose' and agreed to pilot the first course on Pre-hospital Trauma Care from Chennai. Progress was halted by Covid19 lockdown.
In October 2022 , work on this programme started by holding a 'Joint Workshop on Developing Pre-Hospital Care in India - A Potential Model for Developing Countries' at SRIHER.
Place: Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (SRIHER), Chennai, India
The Faculty of Pre-Hospital Care (FPHC) of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh's mission is to promote high standards of pre-hospital care through education, research and teaching. As part of this commitment, we were delighted to co-host a workshop aimed at identifying areas for developing prehospital care in India and the region and establishing closer working links in order to improve patient care.
On 8th October the delegates also reviewed our joint publication of Aide Memoire - Emergency Services Drills which is an updated guide for those involved in pre-hospital emergencies.
This workshop accompanied the RCSEd International Conference held in Chennai from 6 - 9 October 2022.
At this event we also announced an International Course for Pre-hospital Trauma Care which in the first instance has been developed with Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai and will be the first of its kind to be delivered in India by trained clinicians.
The publication has been adapted from an original booklet published by Colonel Tim Hodgetts in 2005. The publication has been updated by Dr. Akilan Elangovan and Prof T V Ramakrishnan (Consultants in Emergency Medicine) of Sri Ramachandra Hospital, Dr David Bruce, International Development Lead for Faculty of Pre-Hospital Care, RCSEd and reviewed by several senior consultants in the UK. The Faculty of Pre-Hospital Care of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh supports endeavours of this publication.
The delegates took part in reviewing and testing of 12 Aide Memoire drills and approved the booklet for training and use by Pre-hospital care providers.
