Paramedics and first responders are invited to improve their skills and knowledge through a variety of free demonstrations, workshops and CPD-accredited seminars at The Emergency Services Show (ESS), taking place at the NEC, Birmingham, on 7 and 8 September 2021. With over 450 exhibiting companies and organisations showcasing the latest advances in everything from ambulances to emergency medical care and protective clothing, there will also be numerous opportunities for visitors to handle new kit and access medical expertise.
The highly-popular 30-minute College of Paramedics workshops will run on both days with opportunities for student Q and A’s. This year’s programme covers mental wellness, dermatology, how to get started in research and what to do if a complaint is made against you. It will also look at feedback from patients and their families to inform how pre-hospital care can be improved. No pre-booking is required and all those attending will be provided with CPD certificates.
In the Learning & Development Theatre, the UK’s largest Air Ambulance charity will explain how it has responded to a change in the type of incidents it has been called to over the pandemic; road traffic collisions have reduced while there has been a significant rise in the number of stabbing, shooting and self-harm incidents. Delegates will also hear from the air ambulance crews on scene at the Novichock poisoning in Salisbury and find out what they learnt about protecting themselves in a high-risk environment.
Meanwhile the programme in the dedicated Health & Wellbeing Seminar Theatre, sponsored by MSA Safety, will cover mental wellness, health and nutrition, workforce diversity and the latest digital support platforms. Sessions will cover the real-life experiences of practitioners and frontline responders like Andy Elwood, a former RAF paramedic and now campaigner on mental wellbeing. The mental health of service-users will be the subject of a session presented by James Lewis of South Western Ambulance. He will showcase the Trust’s ground-breaking project which uses animal therapy to help fight community isolation; thereby reducing pressure on the ambulance service.
The exhibition features leading names including Audax (pioneers in body worn technology), Galen (exclusive distributor of Penthrox in UK and Ireland), Excelerate Technologies (critical communication specialists), Ruth Lee (manufacturer of training mannequins), and Stryker UK (medical services equipment). Openhouse will be showcasing products made from its exclusive micAgard fabric, proven to be over 99 per cent effective against Covid. The Ortus Group will be showcasing defibrillation innovations from Corpuls as well as the latest ventilation developments from Weinmann. Visitors can also talk to Qualsafe about its pre-hospital care qualifications which form part of a Health and Care Professional Council-approved programme to become a paramedic in two years.
Advances in ambulances will be showcased throughout the exhibition by the likes of AMZ Vehicles, International Ambulances, Cartwright Vehicle Conversions, Blue Light Services, Alfa Drop Box, MAN Truck and Bus, WAS UK, VCS and Wilker UK. Ford and Venari will launch the innovative new Transit ambulance developed under code name Project Siren. The new vehicle’s lightweight design is fully compliant with the national specification advocated by the Lord Carter Report, offering all the equipment and capability of a front-line ambulance within a 3.5-tonne gross vehicle weight.
The Extrication and Trauma Challenge hosted by West Midlands Fire Service and judged by the UKRO also returns to the show. Visitors can get close to action and immerse in the high intensity atmosphere of a road collision incident. Teams will test their skills on first aid and trauma care, road traffic accident extrication, casualty care and more.
In the networking hub of the show, The Collaboration Zone, over 80 emergency services, voluntary groups, charities and NGOs will be sharing details of the support they offer. Organisations involved include the Independent Ambulance Association, Air Ambulances UK, Association of Ambulance Chief Executives, British Heart Foundation, Christian Ambulance Association, Railway Mission, Response Pastors, Resuscitation Council and the Ambulance Wish Foundation.
“No other event in the UK offers paramedics the same opportunities to see and try all the latest technology and equipment, learn new techniques and interact with colleagues from across the entire emergency services community. With such a packed programme and so many leading names exhibiting, all staff levels within the ambulance service and private ambulance operators will get great value from their visit,” says David Brown, Event Director, The Emergency Services Show.
Free-to-attend and based in Hall 5 and the Outside Area at the NEC, The Emergency Services Show 2021 will for the first time be co-located with not only The Health & Safety Event but also the Safety & Security Event Series, The Fire Safety Event, The Security Event, The Facilities Event and newly launched National Cyber Security Show, creating the UK’s largest event dedicated to the protection of people, places and assets.
The NEC Venue Protect programme ensures all participants in The Emergency Services Show enjoy a COVID-safe and secure visit with comprehensive social distancing measures and enhanced cleaning and sanitisation.
Parking at the NEC for show visitors is free. Register in advance for free entry to all six events with a single pass at: www.emergencyuk.com