Praise for emergency services help to prepare new nurses

Aberystwyth University’s Vice Chancellor has thanked the local emergency services for their help with a major incident simulation to train its nursing students.

Dyfed Powys Police, paramedics, medical students, fire fighters and medical staff from Bronglais Hospital took part in the practice scenario that simulated people being injured following an explosion. It was designed to help prepare the nursing students and emergency services staff for serious incidents.

As part of the exercise, Aberystwyth University's Healthcare Education Centre was turned into a hospital for a day with students from the University's Department of Theatre, Film and Television and other volunteers pretending to be patients.

The first cohort of nursing students began their studies at Aberystwyth University in September 2022 and will complete their training in the summer of this year. 

Aberystwyth University’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Jon Timmis said:

"The event was a great demonstration of the support from our partners and the community for the nursing education here - we are enormously grateful to them all. We cannot thank the staff from the emergency services enough for their help.  The students and volunteers from the University and wider community who generously gave up their time also have our deep gratitude

“Of course, we sincerely hope that we do not experience this kind of incident, but it is so important that our nursing students are prepared for even the rarest of eventualities. Training healthcare professionals underlines how the University is continuing its longstanding tradition of making a difference - growing knowledge, building communities and strengthening Wales.”

Sharon Daniel, Executive Director of Nursing, Quality and Patient Experience at Hywel Dda University Health Board said:

 “The Health Board was happy to support our colleagues in the emergency services and Aberystwyth University in this emergency incident scenario.

“Our highly trained and dedicated staff have to face many challenges in their day-to-day work and some of these involve dealing with a major incident.

“This scenario has given the next generation of nurses being trained at Aberystwyth University’s Healthcare Education Centre a very valuable experience. Hopefully the learning they have taken from this will stand them in good stead if and when they face this type of incident in real life.”

Chief Inspector Richard Yelland from Dyfed Powys Police added:

“This has been an excellent opportunity to support the development of future frontline professionals and a testimony to the strong relationship between local policing and Aberystwyth University.

“The officers involved know that the next time they encounter the nursing students is likely to be at a time of crisis where their joint working skills are being tested to ensure the best outcome for members of our community. The success of such training events ensures strong understanding of roles and improves communication which is critical in such circumstances. We look forward to supporting similar future events.”