SWASFT Achieves Gold Standard For Major Emergencies Training

South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) has been officially recognised for delivering world-class training for major emergencies. 

The Trust has been awarded the prestigious Skills for Health Quality Mark – for providing outstanding Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response (EPRR) training. 

The training, which is run in partnership with Bournemouth University Disaster Management Centre, is intended to prepare commanders for anything from extreme weather conditions to a major transport incident or an outbreak of an infectious disease.

SWASFT is the first UK ambulance trust to meet the Gold Standard following an intense process of interviews, questionnaires and observations. It means the Trust is providing the best training of its kind in the healthcare industry.

Robert Flute, SWASFT EPRR Command Training Advisor said: “We are absolutely delighted to have achieved the ultimate accolade in this brand of healthcare training.

“We are extremely proud of our training courses, which are intended to prepare commanders for major or significant incidents, based on risks for the South West region and the whole country. We try to make the training challenging and realistic – and also enjoyable. 

“Participants are assessed throughout the course with various written and e-learning elements. We always get out of the classroom for a final exercise where command participants have a complex incident to manage.”

The Quality Mark provides a framework that defines and endorses superior learning and training standards that health care employers need to cultivate a world-class workforce. 

Wayne Darch, SWASFT’s Head of Operations, EPRR and Specialist Practice said: "This is fantastic news for the Trust as well as my wider team and has been achieved as a result of our continued journey with our EPRR compliance and quality improvement agenda."

SWASFT’s suite of training courses was given full CPD accreditation in 2018, meaning it is an officially recognised training provider.