Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, who were chosen to represent the UK at the European Resuscitation Council (ERC) Congress 2023, have been named as ERC Resuscitation Champions 2023.
The preliminary rounds took place on Thursday 2 and Friday 3 November in Barcelona, where 17 teams from Europe and the UAE competed for a place in the final.
Teams were given a scenario and assessed by three judges who presented the clinical scene, circulated during the scenario and monitored the quality of teamwork.
Teams were scored on the adherence to the current ERC Guidelines according to the four-point scoring system and on the quality of CPR as measured by the manikin.
The UK team were announced as finalists alongside Italy and Malta, and competed in the finals on Saturday 4 November. This time, they participated in a paediatric scenario.
The finals drew in a big crowd, with experts in resuscitation from around the world among the spectators.
Amy Brewster, Lead Resuscitation Practitioner at Luton and Dunstable University Hospital, said: “We had to wait until the closing ceremony for the result of the competition. When it was announced that the UK team were the European Resuscitation Champions 2023, we were so happy and proud!”
The team were congratulated on the way they collaborated as a team and their excellent communication skills.
Amy continued: “I am so proud of the team and that our hard work, knowledge, expertise and skills have been recognised and celebrated, not just for our team but also for Bedfordshire Hospitals. We see our colleagues demonstrating these qualities on a daily basis.”
The team received a trophy, as well as an invitation to defend the title at the next ERC meeting.
Liz Lees, Chief Nurse, said: “To be selected to represent the UK is a huge achievement, but to win the competition is a testament to the incredible staff we have working at Bedfordshire Hospitals.
“I am so proud of the team and hope this highlights the huge amount of work they put into this competition, as well as the outstanding work they do on a day-to-day basis.”