Supporting the Ambulance Service in the Management of the Plus Size Patient

Over the past 4 years, Benmor Medical have supplied CPD training to over 2,000 healthcare professionals. These healthcare professionals have joined Benmor on the Management of the Plus Sized (Bariatric) Patient course from a variety of NHS trusts and Social Services over the UK to further develop their knowledge of this complex patient group. 2019 saw our CPD courses reach a new group of healthcare professionals with the introduction of our new specialist course focusing on the safe handling of bariatric patients when in the care of the Ambulance Service. As the Management of the Plus Size Patient CPD course focusses predominantly on patients in the acute and community sector, we wanted to create an education opportunity niche to the Ambulance Service as they may face experiences which differ to those in the other sectors of the NHS. “The objectives of this accredited course are to provide all ambulance personnel involved in planning or support of the Plus Size (Bariatric Patient) in the health and social care sector with a greater insight into the management of the larger patient and focus on the principles of safer handling. To assist with effective planning for the transfer of this patient group both for planned transfers and Emergency evacuations to Hospital. Demonstrating that every patient is different and must be considered individually” – John Humphray, Benmor Medical Clinical Support Specialist and CPD Trainer. Delegates worked through real-life case scenarios, tailored to the ambulance service, to practice the manual handling techniques that they would adopt when dealing with a bariatric patient. Delegates on the course benefitted from theoretical and practical workshops to introduce and practice the correct manual handling techniques involved in manual handling of bariatric patients specifically tailored to the Ambulance Service. As with so many larger patients, safe evacuation and transportation to an acute environment involves complex equipment and expertise and our course aims to enhance healthcare professional knowledge and introduce new techniques which may not have been explored. Feedback from our first Ambulance specific CPD course was very positive and we look forward to welcoming more professionals from the emergency services in the future. If you would benefit from specialist training on the management of the larger patient in the acute, community and ambulance sector contact katie.rowsell@benmormedical.co.uk or visit the Benmor Medical Education page.