Report of the 21st Annual First Aid Conference

November 18 2009

The 2009 First Aid Conference for the Ports Industry was held in Harwich on 29th October and jointly hosted by Harwich Haven Authority and Harwich International Port Ltd.

Our thanks go to the hosts for all their hard work in making the Conference a success and also to all the speakers who gave up their time to give such informative and interesting presentations.

This Conference was attended by 26 delegates and 3 speakers in the Café Area of the Cruise Terminal, Harwich International Port. A wide range of topics were covered during the day by the presenters:

Paul Reaney-Sygrove, Medical Facilitator

Duncan Gaskin, Regional Sales Manager, Martek Marine Ltd.

Lisa Westripp, Diabetes Specialist Nurse, NE Essex Primary Care Trust

Dave Miller and Andy Bowley, Associated British Ports
The presentations, which were all very well received, covered:

• Practical Demonstration of First Aid Skills
• Falls from a Height / Spinal Care
• Sudden Cardiac Arrest and the use of Defibrillators
• Hypothermia and Drowning
• Understanding Diabetes

Conference provides an ideal forum for first aiders in the industry to update their knowledge. It is particularly valuable to hear from the medical profession not only about the latest treatments available but also about their concerns and advice relating to the vital interface between first aid provision at work and the subsequent hospital treatment.

This year’s conference was not as well attended as previously and it would be good to see more first aiders at next year’s event. If you would like more information, or have any suggestions for topics next year, please contact Marje Gray who will be more than happy to help.