The annual three-day Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) course took place recently in the Keyll Darree Medical Education and Clinical Skills Centre at Noble’s Hospital.

This year’s event, held 8-10 May, marked the 10th anniversary of ATLS on the Isle of Man.

ATLS is run in more than 60 countries, and has led to more than 1.5 million doctors being trained world-wide since the first course was held in 1980.

The course teaches a safe and effective way to manage patients who have succumbed to major injuries using a system which can be easily remembered. Although primarily intended for doctors, nurse and paramedic observers also attend.

ATLS was established at Noble’s Hospital in 2007 through its close links with Whiston Hospital in Merseyside. Now retired, consultants Robin McMillan and Sarah Graham were the driving force, in conjunction with Mr David Hedley, a senior doctor in Noble’s A&E Department.

Although the non profit-making course is still administered via Whiston for practical reasons, the number of local instructors has grown to 10.

Four medical students from the UK on placement at Noble’s Hospital as part of their undergraduate programme also took part as patient actors. This helped the students by providing exposure to an advanced course, but also assisted the course participants by having willing volunteers simulate casualties.

Local healthcare assistant Jenny Wernham provided fake injuries with skilled expertise.

Mr Hedley, currently the clinical lead for trauma at Noble’s Hospital, said:  ‘This course is vital to the wellbeing of trauma patients on the Isle of Man, especially given our geographical isolation.

‘A group of 25 staff were trained on this occasion, most of whom work at Noble’s. We are extremely fortunate to have such a large and experienced local faculty, and by increasing their number over the past 10 years, we have ensured the future provision of trauma training on the Island.

‘In holding the course on-island, we can keep the costs down and ensure as many local practitioners as possible can participate. The course has been run in the Medical Education and Clinical Skills Centre since it was built in 2015, and visiting staff are always amazed at the excellent educational facilities we have for such a small community.’

Photo - Medical student Rosie Firth-Burnside with fake head trauma wounds, created by healthcare assistant Jenny Wernham.