Birmingham City University's Paramedic Science Team has been investing in the education of the ‘next generation of paramedics'. Thanks to a generous Vice Chancellor funded project, £100,000 has been devoted to the improvement of simulation education within the Paramedic Science programmes.

The investment has been used on a number of improvements to the student paramedic experience, including the revitalising of BCU's own ambulance to allow students to practice their skills within a realistic environment, similar to those they will be performing in when responding to emergencies.

All of the paramedic response bags have also been replaced with bespoke kitbags that replicate those that are used by ambulance services responding to emergency and urgent care situations.

All of the Paramedic Response bags have been replaced with bespoke kitbags.

In addition, the university's equipment that can be found within an emergency ambulance, and that paramedics could be expected to use, has been replaced with the newest available kit. This includes all new gas cylinders, medications, extrication boards, splints, patient monitoring equipment and supplies needed for all the injuries that could be encountered.

There has also been an investment in patient simulation to allow student paramedics to learn and apply their patient assessment and clinical skills in realistic scenarios. New additions include new adult and child manikins, clinical skill trainers and wound and injury moulage.

The Library and Learning Resources Department at BCU has vastly increased the amount of prehospital textbooks available to students, and wherever possible, these are also available in electronic format. With over 40 additional new titles added to the collection, students are better equipped to study the principles of Paramedic Science and apply this theory to both their academic work and clinical practice.

The Paramedic Science team has engaged with healthcare professionals across the West Midlands, including Paramedics, Nurses and Doctors, to create a pool of expertise. These professionals are able to assist the team in the delivery of clinical skills and scenarios. This allows students to learn from others who can share their knowledge and experiences.