The Isle of Wight Ambulance Service (IOWAS) recently undertook a special training exercise to stress test the service’s emergency cross-Solent capabilities.
The simulated incident provided high-fidelity specialist training for IOWAS staff working alongside Emergency Department colleagues and partners from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance (HIOWAA).
It also included partnership working with cross-Solent operators Solent and Wightline Cruises, who have been supporting Cowes to Southampton emergency crossings on behalf of the Trust, as well as colleagues from Southampton General Hospital.
The exercise simulated an evolving incident in real-time and incorporated all aspects of the emergency response, including patient stabilisation in hospital and onward transfer to the Major Trauma Centre in Southampton.
Paramedics, including Enhanced Skills Paramedics in Critical Care, were examined in delivery of their enhanced trauma management skills, complex decision making and communication within and between different agencies and services.
The exercise took place on the evening of Tuesday 3rd May. It began with a transfer to St Mary’s Hospital and then travelled onwards to Cowes, followed by Southampton General Hospital. By not disclosing the location to those taking part, the incident was presented in the most realistic scenario possible.
Dr John Pike, Medical Lead for the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service, said:
“Managing a complex multi-agency trauma at night on an offshore island is always challenging and our skilled clinical teams are well-versed in the complex decision-making required. This large-scale training incident utilised high-fidelity simulation to develop and support high levels of clinical leadership and use of enhanced skills and decision-making.
“Working with colleagues from other agencies makes a huge difference to how we provide exceptional care for our Island community. We are delighted to have the constant support of all our partners which enables us to run such a realistic and large-scale simulated incident.”
All that effort but you still can’t get to see a GP….
Cowes to Southampton emergency transfer using Solent and Wightline cruises?
Yes. Solent and Wightline Cruises is a long established small family run business based at West Cowes running a number of conventional passenger vessels that are much smaller than the cross Solent vehicle ferries. They have provided the replacement passenger service between East and West Cowes during times that the chain ferry has been out of action. Needing only one or two crew, they are flexible enough to be prepared to provide emergency cross Solent ferry services 24/7. Much more reliable than main ferry operators seem to be.
I was thinking of the “emergency” bit. Not exactly fast, are they?
Where did they find a ferry ?? Is that why the one I wanted was held up ?? I think if ferries are late leaving or docking, the paid customers should get a rebate.. after all, customers book and pay for a ferry at a certain time, then they work around the rest of their journey times.. BUT if ferry late or cancelled, the rest of the journey has to suffer.. I know they are private companies, but why are they allowed to flaunt the laws… FALSE ADVERISING for one !!
Suggest you try re-reading the article which clearly states that Solent and Wightline Cruises was used and not a ferry belong to Wightlink or Red Funnel
do you ask for a refund if a bus or taxi turns up late, I bet you dont