oscemedics
ED Launchpad: Core Survival Skills for NHS Emergency Doctors
“ED Launchpad: Thriving in the Emergency Department” — designed to help new NHS doctors transition smoothly into the fast-paced ED environment. The course blends practical skills, system navigation, teamwork, and resilience to help you thrive from day one.
Register NowDetails About Our ED Launchpad Course
The course runs as an interactive, case-based workshop covering essential clinical, communication, and system-navigation skills for emergency doctors in the NHS.
1. Introduction to the NHS ED Ecosystem
- Triage systems, majors/minors/paeds/resus workflow, and ED flow targets.
- Understanding multidisciplinary team roles and escalation pathways.
- Culture, communication etiquette, and common pitfalls for new starters.
2. ED Survival Toolkit: Practical Skills
- Handover & SBAR communication
- Documentation, legal aspects, and DNACPR awareness
- Prescribing in ED — fluids, analgesia, antibiotics
- Procedures Workshop — IV access, ABGs, catheters, suturing (simulated)
3. Managing Common ED Presentations
- “Can’t Miss” diagnoses — STEMI, PE, sepsis, stroke, ectopic pregnancy
- Time-critical emergencies — trauma, anaphylaxis, status epilepticus
- Approach to the undifferentiated patient (abdominal pain, SOB, etc.)
- Paediatric ED basics and safeguarding red flags
4. Systems & Workflow Hacks
- Using ICE, PACS, e-prescribing & discharge systems
- Disposition decisions — admit vs discharge and safe handover
- Referral and escalation skills — communicating with specialties
- Night shifts & lone working risk management
5. Human Factors & Resilience
- Team dynamics & conflict resolution
- Managing stress, uncertainty, and decision fatigue
- Wellbeing in ED — coping with death and shift-work burnout
6. Simulation & Case-Based Learning
- Interactive scenarios such as “the collapsing patient” and “the angry relative”
- Mock trauma calls with structured feedback and reflection sessions
