This year, Devon Air Ambulance (DAA) organized and hosted the first ever Medi-Connect Conference, an event focused on pre-hospital emergency care, which brought together pre-hospital healthcare professionals and experts to shape the future of emergency first responders. The conference was held at Exeter Racecourse, supported by headline partners SES and ZOLL.

The day consisted of expert speakers and demonstrations focusing on rural response and the kind of incidents that are attended in Devon, providing delegates with the opportunity to explore cutting-edge strategies and gain access to the latest trends and best practices within pre-hospital care, as well as exhibitors showcasing new products to end users who otherwise would not get to see and discuss the alternative products available. Attending the conference also counted towards continuing professional development (CPD) hours.

One of DAA’s aircraft (G-DAAN – an Airbus H135) and a critical care car were present, giving attendees the opportunity to tour the vehicles and speak with the crew. This provided them with a tangible understanding of the capabilities and advanced technology these emergency vehicles possess, such as lifesaving medical equipment and communication systems, while observing the aircraft’s confined working spaces firsthand highlighted the skill and efficiency required by the crew to operate in such environments. Additionally, attendees saw the range of equipment carried, crucial for patient care, while the hands-on experience allowed an appreciation of the critical role the service plays in saving lives.

Presentations

Expert speakers included Clare Taylor, Trauma and Orthopaedic Consultant at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, who spoke about the management of open fractures in the pre-hospital and emergency room setting; Dr Ross Hemingway, Sports and Exercise Medicine GP, Commando Training Centre Royal Marines, Honorary Senior Lecturer in Sports Medicine, University of Exeter, who focused on heat illness and the need for rapid cooling of patients suffering heat stroke; Dr Adam Brayne, Anaesthetic Specialist Registrar at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, delivered a talk on drowning; and Ben Rogers, Partner at Stewarts Law, who specializes in acting for claimants in catastrophic personal injury claims, and has particular expertise in spinal cord, brain, complex orthopedic, amputee and burns injuries, gave a talk about neuro-rehabilitation technology.

Case studies

The Dermoskeleton has given Towler an improved feeling of freedom and shows the capabilities of modern medicine and technology to improve a patient’s outcome

Rogers shared the case of William Towler, who suffered an agricultural accident three years ago, resulting in a spinal cord injury. Towler, who was also present at the Medi-Connect Conference, was awarded funding under the UK’s Rehabilitation Code, which paid for a Keeogo Dermoskeleton – a lower-body, powered-knee exoskeleton designed for walking assistance. The Dermoskeleton has given Towler an improved feeling of freedom and shows the capabilities of modern medicine and technology to improve a patient’s outcome.

Also in attendance at the conference was Martin Parkhouse, a local farmer whom DAA attended in 2023 after his leg became trapped in some farming machinery, causing catastrophic injuries. His story, which demonstrates the impact of pre-hospital critical care, was featured throughout the day. You can read Parkhouse’s full story on DAA’s website, daat.org.

Demonstrations

During the afternoon there were four demonstration sessions, consisting of agricultural injury, equestrian injury, farm machinery and extraction, and medical equipment. These interactive demonstrations showcased risk assessment, machinery considerations, patient assessment, injury identification and treatment options. Interactive audience participation served as a powerful catalyst for teamwork, where attendees were encouraged to share their diverse perspectives and insights, and collaborate with DAA crews to make decisions on patient care.

Masons Kings, in collaboration with the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, ran an interactive display highlighting the capabilities and potential risks associated with heavy farm machinery. The exhibit covered common machinery dangers and demonstrated basic functionalities that could prove crucial in emergency situations.

ZOLL provided a unique hands-on experience using pig lungs with an interactive workshop in which attendees were able to actively adjust ventilation settings, providing a vivid view of how different settings directly impact lung and patient conditions, allowing participants to gain a deeper understanding that would be hard to achieve through theory alone.

Attendees were able to actively adjust ventilation settings, providing a vivid view of how different settings directly impact lung and patient conditions

Networking opportunities enabled everyone present to connect with peers and experts in their field, fostering collaboration to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of emergency medical response care in the UK and provide better healthcare for patients.

For details of the next Medi-Connect Conference in 2025, visit daatcl.co.uk/medi-connect-conference.