An event to recognise the hard work, dedication and achievements of seven NHS nurses who have completed a new trauma and orthopaedic course, was held recently at Forth Valley College’s Stirling Campus.
The celebration event for the PDA Scottish Trauma and Orthopaedic Practical Skills 10 week course, the first of its kind in Scotland, – has been developed as part of the Forth Valley NHS University College Partnership in association with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. It was attended by four of the nurses who completed the course, their Forth Valley College lecturers and curriculum managers and Sarah Higgins, Forth Valley College’s Vice Principal of Learning and Student Experience on Wednesday 4 June.
Charlotte Worral from Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Danielle Maloney from the Royal Hospital for Children, Luisa Diver from University Hospital Monklands, and Evonne Buchan from NHS Fife all gathered to accept their scrolls on the day, while Nicole Hastie from Forth Valley Royal Hospital, Christine Ferguson and Lesley Morrison both from University Hospital Hairmyres, also completed the course.
The PDA is designed for registered nursing staff and technicians working within trauma and orthopaedic services who wish to develop specialist knowledge and practical clinical skills. It is delivered by experienced professionals, and its industry-focused programme combines the underpinning of anatomy and physiology of the musculoskeletal system, with hands-on practical learning to support the delivery of safe, effective and evidence-based trauma and orthopaedic care.
Throughout the programme, participants developed an understanding of trauma and orthopaedic conditions, the physiological principles that underpin treatment and recovery and the practical application of a range of orthopaedic devices used within clinical practice.
Learners also gained experience in the assessment, selection, fitting and evaluation of a variety of braces, splints, casts and orthopaedic supports, ensuring they can confidently contribute to patient care and rehabilitation and provided opportunities to develop practical skills in a supportive learning environment while exploring current best practice, patient safety, clinical decision-making and multidisciplinary working within trauma and orthopaedic services.
Kevin McCloskey, Associate Lecturer on the course, who also works as a Senior Charge Nurse at Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Orthopaedics and Trauma, said: “This course has filled a gap in training which we lost in Scotland some time ago. Now due to the work with the Forth Valley University College NHS Partnership it has been resurrected and modernised.
“This pilot course has been a really good experience and there has been a lot of learning for the students who attended and for both myself and my colleagues Katrina, Ann Marie and Tony. I am looking forward to helping the next cohort through this course in September.”
Tony Cassidy, Associate Lecturer and Senior Charge Nurse in Trauma at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: “It has been a real privilege to be involved in delivering what is the first casting and orthopaedic practical skills course of its kind in Scotland. This programme represents a significant step forward in supporting our workforce with the practical skills and confidence needed to deliver safe, effective patient care.
“This course was built on the vision and passion of John Mooney MBE, whose commitment to developing high-quality training for staff continues to shape what we have achieved. It is also important to recognise the dedication and hard work of Annmarie, Katrina and Kevin, whose efforts have been instrumental in bringing this course to life and supporting our first cohort of students through to completion.
“I am incredibly proud of what has been accomplished and look forward to seeing the continued impact this programme will have across trauma and orthopaedic services in Scotland and possibly beyond, helping to set the standard for future practice.”
Ailsa Elliott, FVC Curriculum Manager in the Department of Care, Sport, Business and Communities, said: “I am incredibly proud to see the successful launch of our new Scottish Trauma and Orthopaedic Practical Skills course at Forth Valley College. This innovative casting and splinting programme has been developed in direct response to the needs of NHS staff, ensuring practical, hands-on training that enhances both confidence and clinical capability.
“The overwhelmingly positive feedback we have received reflects not only the quality of the delivery, but also the strong collaboration between education and healthcare. It is clear that this course will have a meaningful impact on patient care by equipping staff with essential, up-to-date skills.
“This has been a fantastic achievement, and we look forward to building on this success as we continue to support the NHS workforce across Scotland.”
This ambitious partnership collaboration between the College, the University of Stirling and NHS Forth Valley – launched in October 2022 - aims to improve patient care and treatment for communities across the region for years to come. Building on a long-standing relationship between the three institutions, it is working across four priority areas: learning, careers, research and innovation.
The partnership will deliver transformational change to the health and social care of the area through the delivery of new learning and development opportunities for students and staff, and become a nerve centre for world-class research and innovation developed to directly respond to the needs of local people.
Subject areas covered in the revived course include: Communications, Numeracy, Care Higher units, ICT, Biology, Health Care units, and completion can allow students to progress onto Degrees in Adult Nursing; Mental Health Nursing; Child Nursing; Learning Disabilities Nursing; and HNCs in Social Services; and Health Care Practice.
The programme is specifically designed for adults who are returning to education after a gap, and who have the motivation and ability to go on to study at university or for a higher level qualification at college.
For more information visit https://www.forthvalley.ac.uk/courses/care/pda-scottish-trauma-and-orthopaedic-practical-skills
More information on all these courses and how to apply can be found by visiting this link https://www.forthvalley.ac.uk/about-us/fvucnhspartnership/
Visit the Forth Valley NHS University College partnership website for more information: https://fvnhsuniversitycollege.org.
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