Early nursing assessment and escalation in emergency departments can make a critical difference to trauma care and patient outcomes.
To strengthen trauma knowledge and skills in regional and remote areas, 20 nurses from the Eyre and Far North, Yorke and Northern, and Flinders and Upper North Local Health Networks (LHNs) took part in a two-day SA Trauma Nursing Course held in Port Lincoln in February.
The course is part of the Trauma Statewide Clinical Network’s (SCN) work to support education, outreach and workforce capability across South Australia.
Trauma nurse consultants from the state’s trauma services worked alongside regional nurses on common trauma scenarios in regional emergency settings. The course used practical, hands-on skills learning, simulation and clinician-led discussion to build capability in early trauma management.
Nicole Kelly, Trauma Service Nursing Director at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and Clinical Co‑Lead of the Trauma SCN, said the course supports the SCN’s aims to improve consistency, capability and equity in trauma care.
The course was supported by the Emergency Management Education and Training (EMET) Program, helping regional nursing staff access training closer to home.
Rayann Semmens, Nurse Manager at the Port Lincoln emergency department, said the training had a positive impact on staff.
‘The sessions were extremely well received and have given staff valuable additional skills and greater confidence in managing trauma,’ Semmens said.
The Port Lincoln course builds on earlier regional delivery in Port Pirie, supporting trauma education for nurses outside metropolitan centres.
The SCN plans to deliver two regional SA Trauma Nursing Courses each year, alongside metropolitan programs, supporting more consistent trauma care and safer management, stabilisation and transfer of patients.