An Irish consortium will partner with the Emergency Medical Services Dubai Training Institute (EMS-DTI) to help deliver an improvement in patient care and a reduction in emergency response times, it was announced today.

The Royal College of Surgeons Ireland (RCSI) in conjunction with Valentia Technologies, the Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB), and the Pre Hospital Emergency Council (PHECC) today announced the launch of a unique training initiative with the Emergency Medical Services Dubai Training Institute.

The initiative was officially launched at Dubai’s Sheikh Rashid Hospital/Trauma Centre by Irish Prime Minister, Mr Bertie Ahern, who is leading an Irish trade mission to the Emirate.

Prof. Arthur Tanner, Director of Surgical Affairs RCSI, said: “Today marks a welcome development for RCSI in Dubai. We are delighted to be involved in such a unique collaboration that will allow us to provide training of the highest international standard to emergency response teams. It is our hope that this project is something that can be repeated across other countries building on RCSI's commitment to enhancing human health."

Khalifa Aldarrai, CEO Dubai Ambulance Service, added: “Our aim is to provide a high-quality service that develops and improves patient care and reduces emergency response times. Our staff will be trained using international best practice standards developed by PHECC and accredited training will be provided by RCSI/DFB. The latest technology, developed by Valentia Technologies, will support us in doing this.”

The Irish consortium will partner with EMS-DTI to deliver an end-to-end solution which will provide the hardware, software and the training required by Dubai Police and Ambulance personnel to operate to international standards.

This collaboration will leverage:

• EMS-DTI’s training resources and facilities
• RCSI’s international professional educational expertise
• Valentia Technologies health informatics expertise
• Dublin Fire Brigade’s emergency care instructional expertise, and
• PHECC’s emergency care education, training standards and examinations

Peter Nelson, Director Valentia Technologies, said: “We are delighted that our CareMonX ePCR solution will provide Dubai Ambulance Centre with a capability to deliver world-class EMS services. Our solution has a unique ability to incorporate the PHECC national standards, thereby offering consistency of treatment at the point of care throughout the ambulance service. Our system also supports ongoing real time professional experience management and continuing professional development, thereby assisting the targeted training of paramedics.”

RCSI entered the Dubai market in 2005 and this partnership represents a further strengthening of the close ties that exist between RCSI and the Middle East. RCSI also has a strong international presence with undergraduate and postgraduate Medical and Nursing Schools in both Bahrain and Malaysia. The exciting initiative further demonstrates the College’s commitment to the provision of the highest quality health services in the region.

RCSI is a centre of teaching excellence and provides service in three areas - management education and training for health professionals, quality and accreditation training, consultancy services to the health sector and research in healthcare management and leadership.