ATLS

In the 1980s the American College of Surgeons introduced Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) provider courses to teach established standards of care for seriously injured patients.  These courses are now run in many countries across the world.  They have been run in the UK since 1989 under the auspices of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, and are now a key part of training both for doctors who frequently treat injured patients and for those only sporadically involved in the management of victims of major trauma.

An ATLS provider certificate is valid for four years, and one-day Reverification Courses are now available for doctors who wish to update their skills and receive a current ATLS provider certificate.  Doctors of the necessary seniority (ST4 and above) who demonstrate a sound knowledge base and teaching potential during a Reverification Course may be considered for further training to become ATLS instructors.

We are pleased to offer places on the first ATLS Reverification Course to be held in Scotland, on Saturday 20th February 2010 (8am-6pm) in the Clinical Skills Centre at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee.  There will be 12 places for doctors who practise in key trauma-related specialities (anaesthetics, emergency medicine, surgical specialties, and rural primary care) and who have successfully completed an ATLS provider course during the 4.5 years before the date of the Reverification Course.

Application forms can be obtained by sending an email to shirley.tyrrell@nhs.net.  The closing date for completed applications will be Monday 21st December 2009. Successful applicants will be notified in early January, ATLS manuals and other course materials will be sent at this point. The course fee will be £300, payable before the start of the course.

Douglas Gentleman, Honorary Consultant Neurosurgeon, Dundee

Karen McKelvie, Associate Specialist in Emergency Medicine, Fife