Training courses

Basic Surgical Skills Course (BSS)

Course overview – This two-day course, aimed at FY1 and above, is designed to instil core surgical skills at the very start of a surgeon's training by teaching the correct basic techniques. You will be taught instrument handling, knot tying, suturing techniques, fine tissue handling, wound management and diathermy.

These courses are delivered by experienced surgeons with a wide range of knowledge and experience in teaching. 

Audience – FY1 (BSS is strongly recommended for all trainees who are about to embark on their first surgical position), FY2, ST1/CT1 and ST2/CT2 and SCPs.

Cost       £775

Venue  Postgraduate Education Centre, City Hospital, Nottingham

Dates: - to be advised

Too book contact sarah.hutton11@nhs.net for an application form

Basic Practical Skills in Obs & Gynae Course (BPS)

Course overview – The Basic Practical Skills in Obstetrics and Gynaecology course has been designed to introduce trainees to safe surgical techniques and obstetric clinical skills in a structured workshop environment. The course is standardised to ensure that common objectives, content structure and assessment methods are followed. The course consists of 3 modules and covers basic surgical skills and basic skills in obstetrics.. 

Audience – The course is intended for trainees ST1-2 and is a mandatory requirement for entry into ST3. Foundation Years 1 and 2 with an interest in obstetrics and gynaecology may also apply.

Cost       £775

Venue  Postgraduate Education Centre, City Hospital, Nottingham

Dates – to be advised

Too book contact sarah.hutton11@nhs.net for an application form

Offshore medics course

Fresh whole body cadaver specimens to be used for training purposes on offshore courses in association with The National Repository Centre.

Pre-entry requirement for the Offshore Medics Course. To enroll you must have at least three years of experience as:

  • a registered general or enrolled nurse with name on the UKCC register; 
  • a  military medic army CMT, Navy MA, Air Force MA;
  • a state reg paramedic;
  • an operating department practitioner (fully qualified).

The course enables offshore medics to carry out their duties confidently in:

  • Introsseous devices
  • Throbolysis training
  • Advanced life support course (UK Resuscitation Council Accredited)
  • I.V. cannulation and injection techniques
  • Urinary catheterisation
  • Chest drain insertion
  • ENT conditions
  • Dental first aid
  • Eye conditions
  • Pre-hospital trauma life support (Royal College of Surgeons England Accredited)
  • Intubation and advanced airway management
  • 12 lead ECG rhythm recognition
  • Communications
  • Medical emergencies
  • NG tube placement
  • Suturing techniques and wound care
  • Use and administration of drugs
  • Emergency psychiatric conditions
  • Food hygiene (certificated)
  • Manual handling of patients (certificated)
  • Rescue stretchers (certificated)
  • Safe working at height (certificated) including
    • Ethos
    • SWAH Equipment
    • Safe movement being lowered with a rope system
    • Restricted access and Egress scenarios
  • Common minor ailments including dermatological conditions

The course includings:

  • Two weeks at the Clinical Skills Centre
  • Emergency Department secondment (full course only)

Qualified Offshore Medics may use this course as a refresher; and only need attend the two week clinical skill teaching. 

Course Fees

Course Dates

  • 3rd to 12th February 2025
  • 19th to 29th May 2025
  • 1st to 11th September 2025
  • 8th to 17th December 2025

How to book

If you are interested in attending this course or if you are unsure as to whether you satisfy the pre-entry requirements, please contact Sarah Hutton on 0115 962 7758 or email  sarah.hutton11@nhs.net

For all new medics who would like us to arrange an ED placements after completion of the two week course, please see below a list of requirements you will be asked for by our Human Resources department, additional costs will be incurred.

  • CV
  • Current registration number and copy of reg certificate
  • Military medics copy of medical qualification cert or equivalent
  • Current employer details
  • CRB (if they are coming from abroad we also request a certificate of good standing)
  • ID (including passport/right to work in UK),
  • Occupational Health clearance (Hep B immunisation confirmation)
  • A reference from current employer

For all new offshore medics who wish to have ED placements please contact  sarah.hutton11@nhs.net

Mobile skills training

Through the appointment of two additional trainers the Clinical Skills and Competency Centre at Nottingham City Hospital is now able to offer more flexible and specific training to a wider group of professionals.

To book onto any mobile skills training session contact Sarah Hutton, Business & Operations Development Manager, on 01159 627758 (internal ext 54905 or email sarah.hutton11@nhs.net.)

 

Sessions/courses available include:

  • Abdominal (examination and diagnosis of illness)
  • Cannulation
  • Male/female catheterisation
  • ECG recognition
  • Immediate life support (I.L.S. Resuscitation Council)
  • O2 and Entonox training
  • Respiratory system (assessment, recognition and treatment of illness)
  • Basic suturing
  • Venepuncture

 

The following equipment is available for use within the centre (we do not loan out our equipment):

  • Resuscitation mannequins
  • Cannulation arms and pads
  • Diabetic retinopathy trainer
  • Ear diagnostic trainer
  • Male and female pelvic trainers
  • Laparoscopic trainers
  • Chest drain simulator
  • Spinal injection trainer
  • Knot tying jigs 
  • Courses and sessions can be developed and adapted to suit individual and group needs.

PHTLS Course

NAEMT’s 10th Edition Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) is recognised around the world as the leading continuing education program for Pre-Hospital emergency trauma care. The mission of PHTLS is to promote excellence in trauma patient management by all providers involved in the delivery of Prehospital care.

PHTLS courses improve the quality of trauma care and decrease mortality. The program is based on a philosophy stressing the treatment of the multi-system trauma patient as a unique entity with specific needs. PHTLS promotes critical thinking as the foundation for providing quality care. It is based on the belief that, given a good fund of knowledge and key principles, EMS practitioners are capable of making reasoned decisions regarding patient care. 

Audience – PHTLS is appropriate for ECA/ECSWs, EMTs, Paramedics, Nurses, ACP’s, Doctors with an interest in prehospital care, and other prehospital providers.

Cost £475 (one day) & £575 (two day)

Venue  Nottingham Trent University, Mansfield, Nottingham

Dates:-

21st May 2025

3rd & 4th September 2025

10th December 2025

To book contact sarah.hutton11@nhs.net for an application form

ATLS Course

ATLS® is a global course, teaching a systematic process of trauma care for patients with life-threatening injuries.

Throughout this two-day interactive course, you will learn a range of comprehensive and adaptable trauma management skills relevant to all specialities.

The RCS is the only provider of ATLS® in the UK, teaching a safe and reliable method of immediate management of severely injured patients. The ATLS® programme has been adopted in over 80 countries around the world.

The format of this hybrid course includes a state-of-the-art and interactive e-learning tool which will enhance your learning experience and reduce the number of days attending the practical sessions from three to two. The pre-course e-learning is a mandatory requirement for this course and must be completed by 7am the day before the face-to-face course. It will take approximately 20-30 hrs to complete.

Audience – This course is only suitable for doctors at FY2 grade and above, equivalent staff grades, eligible and advanced clinical practitioners (ACP) 

Cost £850

Venue  Postgraduate Education Centre, City Hospital, Nottingham

Dates – To be advised

To book contact sarah.hutton11@nhs.net for an application form

Definitive Surgical Trauma Skills (DSTS)

Taught over two days by skilled and knowledgeable faculty, you will learn how to make life-saving surgical decisions and perform damage control under pressure in a trauma and emergency environment. 

Through practical workshops on unembalmed cadavers, you will learn surgical procedures to manage a broad range of trauma situations, as well as covering decision-making, epidemiology and emerging technologies.

Audience - Participants should have a good understanding of ATLS and critical care principles and experience of managing trauma both frequently and infrequently

This course is suitable for ST5-8, consultants and SAS grades

Cost £1935

Venue  Postgraduate Education Centre, City Hospital, Nottingham

Dates – 3rd & 4th November 2025

To book contact sarah.hutton11@nhs.net for an application form