Action-packed, interactive online conference for Student Paramedics

13 May 2021

Saturday 22 May, via ZOOM

For the first time, the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) Student Conference is being held entirely online, using an innovative mix of virtual reality, live sessions, video and interactive polling.

The ‘Be a Better Paramedic’ Student Conference on Saturday 22 May provides specialist training alongside the professionals for those studying towards their Paramedic Science degree. The 2021 event follows the tried-and-tested format of previous events, adapting them to the current COVID-19 restrictions.

SWASFT Chief Executive, Will Warrender, said: “I am delighted we are able to host our ‘Be a Better Paramedic’ conference this year. The conference is a chance for student paramedics across the country to refresh their knowledge, learn and develop understanding of a diverse range of pre-hospital care scenarios, giving student paramedics an amazing experience which builds upon what is taught in the classroom. The day is designed to be informative, interactive and most of all fun”.The journey from student to registered paramedic can be a challenging one and SWASFT wants to support students to become not just a paramedic, but become a better paramedic. More than 250 student paramedics from across the country have already registered attending the SWASFT Student Conference 2021.

Highlights of the day include:

Chance to hear first-hand from SWASFT’s Chief Executive, Will Warrender
'It's OK to not be OK' - but do we really mean that? – keynote address by Pete Reeve, Air Operations Officer for Great Western Air Ambulance Charity (GWAAC) focusing on paramedic wellbeing

Masterclass sessions reflecting current evidence-based thinking and help students make well informed clinical decisions:

HAZMAT: Are you ready to respond?– join our paramedic teams and Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) as they deploy to a multi-casualty chemical incident, with interactive learning points
Toxidromes– a dynamic “virtual reality” tour of overdoses to test your decision-making
Stroke Mimics– how well do you know your “stroke differentials” (things that seem like strokes but could be something else)? Here’s what to look out for
Critical Care– watch our team perform a real-time thoracotomy (opening of the chest) on a life-size dummy

SWASFT University Liaison Officer, Jennings Mitchell, said: “This day is all about you. SWASFT take great pride in the quality of our clinical expertise, and today is designed to give you a flavour of this and contribute to your ongoing professional development – I hope you find it useful, fun and educational.”

A few places are still available for the Conference, which is free of charge to student paramedics studying at any university. The deadline to register is Monday 17 May. To register go to: https://www.swast.nhs.uk/welcome/campaigns/student-paramedic-conference-2021 or follow the “Campaign and Event” link from the front page of the website www.swast.nhs.uk

Key note speaker Pete Reeve

South Western Ambulance Charity

The South Western Ambulance Charity, founded in 1995, uses gifted monies to benefit those in our communities who use our service and to improve the welfare of the staff and volunteers of the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust.

Our charitable support covers Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire including Bristol and Swindon.

If you would like to show your appreciation for the care that you or your loved one has received from us in the form of a charitable donation please visit our online giving website: Donate to South Western Ambulance Charity | Give as you Live Donate