World-first training for paediatric major incidents
Colleagues from across Barts Health NHS Trust have taken part in a landmark simulation exercise designed to test and improve how hospitals respond when children are the victims of major stabbing incidents.
Over 50 staff from Barts Health joined facilitators and observers from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) for the first full test of a new major incident training package - the first of its kind to specifically simulate a paediatric stabbing incident. Once refined using feedback from the exercise, the training kit will be rolled out internationally to support emergency departments in 30 countries.
At least two children a month are dying from knife wounds in England, according to a national study using data from the National Child Mortality Database alongside hospital, social care and police records.
Despite this, no existing major incident training had specifically covered paediatric stabbing case, a gap Barts Health and UKHSA have now moved to close.
The exercise was developed after Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response (EPRR) Officer Sharon Gillespie identified the shortfall while on a major incident training course.
"I noticed that there were no examples of paediatric stabbing cases, which is sadly a reality for our emergency departments," Sharon said. "Today's training has helped us to review our emergency pathways and highlighted how we can improve communication and processes between our essential departments during a major incident."
Steve North, Director of the UK EMERGO Faculty said:
"This project addresses a growing challenge facing emergency healthcare services. It’s been great to work with colleagues from The Royal London Hospital and Barts Health to strengthen preparedness for such complex incidents. "
The scenario simulated a mass casualty incident with the London Ambulance Service and Metropolitan Police on scene, alongside hospital teams. Partway through, participants were tested with a second major incident, a road traffic collision involving multiple casualties.
Teams had to work through real-world pressures in real time: releasing additional beds, coordinating support across other London hospitals, and briefing upwards to government officials.
This was the first full run-through of the exercise, and feedback from everyone involved will now be used to refine the training package before it is rolled out internationally.
The new patient set was tested during an Emergo Train System (ETS) exercise in London on August 13, evaluating clinical pathways, communication, coordination, and hospital response capabilities.
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