CEGA Air Ambulance has brought together its medical crews for a simulation training day in a fixed wing air ambulance; thought to be the first training exercise of its kind to be held in Europe.

The team demonstrated resuscitation and defibrillation procedures in a King Air 200 aircraft using a high fidelity manikin with breathing functions, palpable pulses and blood pressure displays.

"Simulation training in an aircraft can provide medical crews with valuable hands-on experience in a safe and controlled environment, promoting a positive patient safety culture," says Dr Tim Hammond, CEGA's chief medical officer. "By providing a realistic scenario, it can also help crews to develop teamwork and communication and aid in the planning of practicalities, such as the positioning of medical equipment and patients' luggage.

"This training for our medical crews complements the simulation training given to CEGA pilots and is testament to our commitment to be at the forefront of patient safety initiatives."

The simulation session received an overwhelmingly positive response from participants and is likely to become a regular fixture in the CEGA Air Ambulance training programme.

CEGA operates from Bournemouth airport and maintains a fleet of three King Air 200s, each with the capacity to carry two stretchers, a medical crew and equipment, a patient's relatives and luggage.

Recent enhancements have enabled the company to increase cruising speed and to land closer to patients faster, keeping road transfers to a minimum. CEGA Air Ambulance has 'full' and 'special care' EURAMI accreditation and is CQC registered.