How do surgeons cope in a crisis

23 Oct 2012

The Clutha Vaults helicopter crash in Glasgow last year demanded the most from our emergency services. Preparing surgeons and accident and emergency departments for such large scale disasters is the focus of a major conference being held at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons over the next two days (27-28 February 2014)?

Approximately 200 surgeons are attending the Glasgow Emergency Surgery and Trauma Symposia (GESTS) at the College.

Event Director, Mr Euan Dickson said: "Traumatic events, such as the Clutha Vaults helicopter crash, are relatively rare occurrences in the UK. However, it is critical that our emergency services are prepared to deal with them when they do happen.

"GESTS provides a unique opportunity for members of the medical team to learn how to be prepared when disaster strikes."

The symposium covers the full range of potentially life-threatening conditions that the medical response team may have to deal with and includes presentations from leading international experts with first class experience in dealing with traumatic events.

This includes Dr Tina Gaarder from Oslo University Hospital who was one of the lead clinicians involved in the emergency work that followed the July 2011 terror attacks. Other international speakers include Professor Bryan Cotton from the University of Texas, Professor James Lau from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and Professor Des Winter from St Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin.

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