Major conference on emergency care research held at Stirling

Leading academics, clinicians and politicians have gathered at the University of Stirling for a major conference discussing the latest research into emergency medicine.

Minister for Public Health and Sport, Aileen Campbell MSP, welcomed delegates to the conference.

Delegates turned out for the annual conference of the 999 EMS (Emergency Medical Services) Research Forum at Stirling Court Hotel on March 26 and 27.

It is the first time that the conference has visited Scotland and Aileen Campbell MSP, Minister for Public Health and Sport, provided the opening address.

Dr Peter Davidson gave a presentation entitled 'Research that makes a difference.'

Welcoming delegates, Ms Campbell said: 'Health research is one of this country’s key strengths and it is essential that we use this national resource to the fullest'.

'As we progress person-centred care in Scotland we must realise the importance of digital technology and its role in the transformation of health and social care and in helping people to live longer, healthier lives'.

Dr Gareth Clegg also appeared at the conference, at Stirling Court Hotel.

'There is a lot of excellent work going on across the country and I look forward to seeing how this develops as we continue to use research to improve the care received by the people of Scotland'.

Hosted by the University and the Scottish Ambulance Service, keynote presentations were given by Dr Peter Davidson, Director of the National Institute for Health Research Dissemination Centre and an Honorary Consultant in Public Health; and Dr Gareth Clegg, Clinical Senior Lecturer (University of Edinburgh), Honorary Consultant in Emergency Medicine (NHS Lothian), and Associate Medical Director with The Scottish Ambulance Service.

Dr Edward Duncan, of the University of Stirling, pictured alongside (L-R): Professor Helen Snooks (Swansea University); Aileen Campbell MSP (Minister for Public Health and Sport); Pauline Howie (Chief Executive, Scottish Ambulance Service); and Dr David Fitzpatrick, (Senior Lecturer, University of Stirling).

Dr Davidson delivered a presentation entitled ‘Research that makes a difference’ before Dr Clegg’s discussion on ‘Pre-hospital research and the ABC of Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest’.

Other issues discussed during the conference included: an investigation into suicide amongst ambulance service staff; women’s experience of unplanned out-of-hospital birth in paramedic care; and research priorities in pre hospital 999 emergency care research.

Prestigious

Dr Edward Duncan, Associate Professor in Applied Health Research with the Nursing Midwifery and Allied Health Professions Research Unit (NMAHP-RU), is one of the organisers of the event.

He said: 'It is an exciting moment to be co-hosting this well-respected conference in Stirling, the first time it has been in Scotland.'

'The University has a growing international profile in pre-hospital emergency care research, and hosting this prestigious conference is testament to the work that has been done. Our academic and clinical collaborations, such as our longstanding partnership with the Scottish Ambulance Service enable us to undertake high quality research and transfer these findings into practice. This ensures that our research has national, as well as international, impact.'

Founded in 1997, the 999 EMS Research Forum is a UK-based partnership that aims to encourage, promote and disseminate research and evidence-based policy and practice in 999 healthcare. It brings together academics and healthcare providers with a research interest in emergency care.