Buckingham University medical students receive disaster training at Westcott Venture Park

Westcott Venture Park in Buckinghamshire staged a major disaster as part of a medical student training exercise.

Project Ariona, which took place on September 8, simulated the scene of a multi-vehicle road accident with a number of casualties, many of whom were in minibuses having attended a wedding.

The simulation gave 100 third year medical students from the University of Buckinghamshire the opportunity to deal with a wide range of feigned injuries, including some which were potentially fatal. As well as burns, the simulation attempted to recreate the mass panic such an incident can cause.

The victims were played by 30 actors and a number of student volunteers, with a specialist make-up artist on hand to apply the simulated wounds.

The event’s objective was to help medical students understand how to deal with managing major trauma events, along with how to work collaboratively with the emergency services, the media and council workers, in an attempt to recreate real life.

In the run up, the students were given a range of workshops and lectures to prepare.

Dr Joanne Selway, Phase 1 Lead at University of Buckingham Medical School, said: “Our students get a lot of experience in a clinical setting during their training, this exercise allows them to hone their skills in the community and help prepare them for any situation as a clinician or as a member of the public when off-duty.”

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The scenario also involved Thames Valley Police, South Central Ambulance Service, Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service (BFRS) and Buckinghamshire Council, who had the opportunity to test their command structures in what was the largest event of its kind run by the university.

Adam Moore, Operational Assurance Station Commander at BFRS, added: “Large scale incidents of this nature, thankfully, do not occur too often but we must be prepared for when they do.

“Exercises such as this enable all three emergency services, along with other agencies, to work together and put into practice our training, procedures, and multi-agency principles.  This helps to ensure that the vital services we provide are the best they can be.

“I would like to thank all of those who gave up time to support and take part in the exercise, and to congratulate The University of Buckingham and everyone else involved in the organisation of a well-planned, and well-run, realistic scenario.”

One reason Westcott Venture Park was chosen is its pre-existing links to the emergency services, with all major services having a presence at the Park. BFRS provides a base for the Urban Search and Rescue team, Rapid Response Medical Group provides ambulance services and Thames Valley Police use Westcott as a base while patrolling the area.

Jayne Cannell, Business Park Manager at Westcott Venture Park, said: “This event was incredibly realistic and so well created that it was almost terrifying to watch.

“We would like to congratulate everyone involved for what was a highly successful collaboration which we were delighted to host. I am sure they learned a huge amount from the experience which could ultimately save lives in the real world.”

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