Helicopter Crew Course – a paramedic's perspective
The UK HEMS Helicopter Crew Course (HCC) medical module, run by London's Air Ambulance, is aimed at aircrew paramedics and doctors wishing to enhance their knowledge and skills in pre-hospital emergency medical and trauma care. This review of the course, from a paramedic's perspective, looks at course content, delivery, experience and educational value.
Air ambulance operations are becoming increasingly common in the UK, often using the doctor-paramedic model.
Paramedics and doctors working as fight crew often look after seriously unwell or injured patients and may have to perform complex interventions, including emergency anaesthesia, in the pre-hospital environment.
Scene assessment and safety, crew resource management, clinical interventions and on-scene decision making are key skills required by air ambulance crew members, and training is needed in these areas. This is often undertaken locally but there have been calls for specialist, regional training.
The HCC is rapidly becoming a prerequisite for paramedics wishing to undertake secondments or careers with UK air ambulance services. Having run since 2005, is gaining national and international recognition.
Subscribe to get full access to the Journal of Paramedic Practice
Thank you for visiting the Journal of Paramedic Practice and reading our archive of expert clinical content. If you would like to read more from the only journal dedicated to those working in emergency care, you can start your subscription today for just £48.
What's included
-
CPD Focus
-
Develop your career
-
Stay informed