Conferences, courses and resources

Update: In-flight nurses training

In the last edition of the newsletter we reported on the demise of the RCN In-flight Nursing Course. Apart from a few "in-house" training programmes for those already in the industry, there is now only one course available for those seeking an opportunity to enter this exciting career - CCAT.

The CCAT (Clinical Considerations in Aeromedical Transport) course run by Dr Terry Martin (who shares his expertise on spinal injuries here) was historically set up as a multidisciplinary course, aimed at doctors, nurses and paramedics. Until now, those attending weighed in heavily on the medical side.

However this year, for the first time, more than half of the delegates were nurses. It shows there is still a huge interest in this area and flight nurses are keen to expand their knowledge in a multidisciplinary setting.

Dr Martin commented that it is "refreshing" to see so many nurses on the course this year and said that all coped very well with the syllabus and with the concept of multidisciplinary training in a specialty which depends largely on a team approach.

He welcomed their contributions to the study groups and workshops, saying: "CCAT Aeromedical Training provides a unique learning environment for basic and advanced flight nursing practice."

For more information on CCAT, visit www.ccat-training.org.uk . And remember also to check the RCN website from time to time to find out if any further courses will be offered by the RCN.

NPC launches new support for non-medical prescribing

A new programme of support for non-medical prescribing (NMP) has begun at the National Prescribing Centre. The Department of Health has commissioned the NPC to assist in promoting and supporting the continued development of NMP within prescribers' competencies through effective policy implementation, advice and promotion.

The team aims to increase recognition and understanding of NMP through improved communications and to provide a resource of knowledge, information and advice, including support for NMP leads as they deal with queries within their organisations.

For more information, visit their website at: www.npc.co.uk/mynpc

VTE assessment tool now online

A new online educational resource has been launched to help clinicians assess a patient's risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), which causes an estimated 25,000 deaths in hospitals in England each year. This is a useful tool also to assess patients who are looking to travel on aircraft - especially long-haul.
More at: www.e-lfh.org.uk/projects/vte/launch

Pandemic not over yet

H1N1, aka swine flu, may have had decreased news coverage recently, but as flight nurses, it is especially important for us to remember the current status of this virus and where it has been reported. It is still at phase six (out of six), the highest phase placing the virus as pandemic in nature. Before you travel you can check any number of daily updates available to ensure you are fully prepared:

www.cdc.gov/flu/swineflu
www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en
www.direct.gov.uk/en/Swineflu/DG_177831