Mobile Skills Unit on tour
In Autumn 2022 the Mobile Skills Unit (MSU) returned to the Western Isles for its annual tour around the islands.
The MSU was developed to support the delivery of clinical skills training and education to all healthcare practitioners, the emergency services and members of the public across Scotland.
First stop
Vatersay, a small island off the coast of the Isle of Barra. Local healthcare staff from St Brendan’s Hospital in Castlebay attended the packed week of training.
The Emergency Medical Retrieval Service (EMRS) team held a 2 day Liaison visit which included talks and a scenario on “Silver Trauma” and the management of the critically unwell patient and child.
Additionally, Dr Jeremy Morse, Senior Lecturer and Simulation Lead, and Alison Moggach, ANP and ANP Fellow NHS Grampian delivered immediate life support and paediatric deteriorating patient training.
Next stop
Benbecula’s Balivanich Hall, where medics and nursing staff from Uist and Barra Hospital attended a training programme, including:
- the EMRS Liaison visit
- Obstetric and Neonatal training
- Effective Communication for Healthcare (EC4H) workshops
- venepuncture and cannulation, and diabetes interactive sessions
Final stop
Stornoway’s Western Isles Hospital. There we welcomed the General Medical Council (GMC) onto the MSU to observe a full day of acute medical emergencies training delivered by Michael Moneypenny, Consultant Anaesthetist and Clinical Lead for CSMEN.
The multi professional groups being observed consisted of:
- healthcare support workers
- GP trainees
- FY2s
- medical students
- an A&E doctor
Further training that week consisted of Scottish Ambulance Service training and the Dundee Institute of Healthcare Simulation Surgical Skills training.
We were delighted to receive a very positive report from the GMC, who considered the MSU to be a good demonstration of how NES are meeting a number of its standards.
This article is adapted from Mobile Skills Unit on tour around the Western Isles observed by the GMC in the December issue of the Scottish Deanery News.
January, 25 2023