It’s rare that Rotary is ever floored – and so it proved when several South Wales clubs joined forces to help medics of the future studying at Cardiff University.
Since September 2017, Cardiff University had a new undergraduate programme for ‘emergency, pre-hospital and immediate care’, based at the University Hospital of Wales (UHW).
An essential component of this programme is a simulator and education suite which mirrors a real emergency facility, containing equipment such as defibrillators, simulated electro-cardiogram machines, ultrasound, monitors and trolleys.
UHW provided a room and, whilst the clinical equipment was funded, appeals had to be made for furnishing the room and setting up.
Help came from a variety of sources including John Lewis, IKEA, Homebase and the Ambulance Service.
The one outstanding item was fitting a clinical floor costing of £2,000.
This shortfall was brought to the attention of Heather Guy from Cardiff Breakfast Rotary and, after contacting Cardiff’s eight Rotary clubs as well as those in Dinas Powis, who make up Area 4 of Rotary’s District 1150, the full £2,000 was raised within two weeks.
We have been in need of a dedicated area for clinical skills teaching and multidisciplinary simulation sessions for some years.”
The official opening by conducted by the Dean of Medical Education, the Clinical Director of the Emergency Unit along with Heather.
The new teaching facility will not only be used for undergraduate teaching, but also for postgraduates including nursing staff, paramedics, nursing assistants and doctors.
Dr Huw Williams, Clinical Lecturer in Clinical Medicine, said he was delighted that after a lot of work from various stakeholders, the suite had finally been opened.
He said: “We have been in need of a dedicated area for clinical skills teaching and multidisciplinary simulation sessions for some years.
“With the help of Cardiff University, Cardiff & Vale University Health Board and the Rotary Clubs in Cardiff, Barry and Dinas Powys, we now have a superb space to do this training.
“At the same time, this facility will provide a far better experience for the undergraduate medical students rotating through the department on their ‘Hospital Front Door’ block in their third year of the undergraduate degree at Cardiff University.”
