Department of Minor Surgery, First Aid & Emergency Medicine

The Department of Minor Surgery, First Aid & Emergency Medicine develops essential readiness for injuries and acute illness. It introduces surgical principles, asepsis, wounds and tissue repair, accident and emergency surgery, resuscitation, nutritional support, anaesthesia and pain relief, wound infection, burns, fractures, dislocations and sports injuries. First-aid topics include haemorrhage, shock, bites and stings, burns, heat and cold illness, sprains, poisoning, convulsions, foreign-body aspiration, artificial respiration, bandaging and unconsciousness. Emergency medicine covers acute cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, neurological, renal, endocrine and circulatory presentations. Practical work includes history taking, examination, case-sheet writing and equipment demonstrations. Teaching must align with current emergency protocols and clearly prioritise scene safety, basic life support, activation of emergency services and rapid transfer.

Students Learning Outcomes

✔ Recognise life-threatening emergencies and activate appropriate services
✔ Provide safe first aid and basic supportive care within training scope
✔ Document findings, treatment and transfer clearly
✔ Avoid delaying definitive medical or surgical management