An effective Resuscitation Service is an operational priority and obligation within every single NHS hospital, with employers expected ensure that their staff receive training and regular updates. They also have a responsibility to provide equipment, managerial support and continual reappraisals of expected standards and results.
In order to achieve this, NHS hospitals will each have a set of standards for resuscitation training in both basic and advanced life support.
The general guidelines are stated below:
Each NHS hospital will have to adhere to an Annual Training Schedule.
Courses offered by each hospital should include:
Advanced life support courses look fantastic on your CV, however, since the NHS has no information or control over the standards of the courses conducted outside of the EU – there are only a few international courses that are recognised as equivalents to UK life support courses.
The European Resuscitation Council courses are recognised and accepted as equivocal by the RC (UK).
The NHS only recognises the Australian Resuscitation Council Advanced Life Support and Immediate Life courses as equivalent.
Unfortunately, the NHS does not accept any courses from the American Heart Association as they are not able to examine the information or standards for these courses.
Once you start working for your NHS hospital, they will arrange the relevant course for you. Most hospitals will offer a study budget of £400 which can be used to purchase the course.
You are advised to complete your course within the first six months of joining.
Most certificates are valid for one year, however, there are some exceptions. Check the expiry date when you receive it.
The Resuscitation Council (UK) states that you have one year from the expiry date of your certificate within which to recertify your qualification.
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References
Resuscitation Training. (2019). 19th ed. [ebook] Cardiff and Vale University Health Board. Available at: http://www.cardiffandvaleuhb.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/documents/1143/Resuscitation%20Training%20Guidelines%20updated%202017.pdf [Accessed 6 Nov. 2019].
Resus.org.uk. (2019). FAQs for Candidates. [online] Available at: https://www.resus.org.uk/information-on-courses/faqs-for-candidates/ [Accessed 12 Nov. 2019].
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