HORRIFIED teens watched as a crash victim was treated by paramedics before being rushed to an emergency ward.

More than two dozen GCSE students took part in the 999 simulation at Oxford Brookes’ University’s Westlea campus. Now in its fifth year, the event gives pupils from Swindon and Wiltshire schools an insight into how trauma victims are treated by paramedics and hospital staff.

The mocked-up scenario saw a patient actor treated for a trauma at the roadside, before being transferred to hospital where the care was passed over to NHS staff.

Oxford Brookes’ clinical skills suites provided the hospital setting, where the students followed the patient’s journey from the emergency department, to the operating theatre and then to multidisciplinary team care on the ward.

Dr Andrea Pereira, clinical teaching fellow at Great Western Hospital, said: “This was a really exciting and engaging event for local school children to witness the teamwork and dedication from those who work in the NHS.

“We wanted to highlight the importance of the service, and show the students that from the paramedics through to theatre staff, nurses and everyone else involved in patient care, the NHS is a truly joined-up organisation that is always on hand to provide help to those who need it.

“This was also a good opportunity for any of the students who are considering a career in the NHS to find out more, and to ask any questions about the way that the service runs, or about how staff provide treatment to the sickest of patients.”

Chloe Rich, a lecturer from Oxford Brookes University’s faculty of health and life sciences, added: “We were delighted to be joining Great Western Hospital and Bristol Medical School again with this community simulation event. It is great to provide such a realistic and inspirational experience for school children on Oxford Brookes’ Swindon Campus.

“Oxford Brookes’ staff and students play a key role in this important community engagement activity which provides a truly unique insight into the amazing work taking place in the NHS every single day.”

Youngsters got an insight into different areas of healthcare, including emergency medicine, midwifery, physiotherapy and surgery.

Students also got the opportunity to learn basic clinical skills, including CPR and how to take medical observations.