An Cosantóir

www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 19 E ight members of the De- fence Forces, from the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps, recently completed a diploma in military medical care from University College Cork (UCC). The one-year, full-time programme has given them the opportunity to gain the emergency medical technician (EMT) award accred- ited by the Pre-hospital Emer- gency Care Council (PhECC) and to be placed on the Irish national practitioner register. This was the first time that medical person- nel of the Defence Forces had an opportunity to achieve externally recognized qualifications at an undergraduate level. The initiative brought the Defence Forces and UCC together to provide professional train- ing in military medical care. The programme, which commenced in September 2012, comprised ap- proximately 300 teaching hours, divided into three modules: EMT (which ended with an externally recognized EMT award); work placement with Cork University Hospital and the National Ambu- lance Service; and a combat medi- cal technician module, delivered in the DFTC in the Curragh. The main objective of the course was to assist the students in becoming proficient in provid- ing emergency medical care to fellow members of the Defence Forces in a variety of situations, including in combat, at sea and in remote areas. According to the recent gradu- ates the most valuable part of the programme is the invaluable experience it provides in both pre-hospital and hospital care, at the highest, externally recognized medical standards. Students took part in a vari- ety of exercises, which included various scenario-based exercises in Cork (with the Cork City Fire Brigade); the Medical School, DFTC; and the Naval Base in Haulbowline. The course was overseen by Prof Stephen Cusack (UCC), with lectures being provided by highly experienced academic lecturers and trainers from UCC, the Academy of Emergency Care, the National Ambulance Service, and the Medi- cal School. The lecturers brought a wide range of knowledge and ex- pertise, both theoretical and practi- cal, which contributed significantly to the quality of tuition provided during the course. This venture has proved how suc- cessful cross-sectoral co-operation can be and showed that both UCC and the Defence Forces can benefit from this partnership by combining the complementary experience and expertise of both institutions. The diploma programme is a sig- nificant step forward for the Medial Corps, and the Defence Forces, in ensuring that the highest standards of training are provided to its per- sonnel; particularly at a time when the importance of pre-hospital emergency care and awareness is gaining greater recognition. Not only is this training of benefit to the Defence Forces, for those at home and serving overseas, but it is also of benefit to society in gen- eral to have highly trained medical people available who are able to help out in emergency situations. The overall impression from the graduates is that the course not only met but exceeded its expecta- tions. Furthermore, it proved that co-operation between the military and other sectors gives the best training results as it incorporates wide and varied range of knowl- edge and expertise. On a personal level, the pro- gramme also gave the students an opportunity to gain a valuable qualification. by L/SBA JOHN SCHWARTAU WAterCONFIDENCETraining

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