UHNM Tests Major Incident Response with Two Emergency Department Training Exercises

University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM) has successfully completed two major live training exercises to further improve emergency preparedness and test its response to chemical incidents.

Staff from the Royal Stoke University Hospital and County Hospital in Stafford, along with multi-agency partners, took part in staged scenarios designed to test major incident response plans and further chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) training.

Teams conducted a live exercise outside both hospital’s emergency departments (ED) which simulated multiple contaminated patients arriving simultaneously, requiring a full wet decontamination process. 

In accordance with the Civil Contingencies Act 2004, organisations designated as category one responders, including acute hospital trusts, are required to conduct regular testing of their major incident response plans. They must undertake a live exercise at a minimum of once every three years to ensure operational readiness and compliance.

John Dodds, head of emergency preparedness, resilience and response (EPRR) at UHNM said “The scenario involved multiple contaminated patients arriving simultaneously, requiring a full wet decontamination process within our own facilities. It was designed to test ED’s initial operational response, decontamination procedures using powered respirator protective suits (PRPS), activation of our chemical incident alerting processes, and tactical command structure, all while maintaining normal emergency demand and ambulance arrivals.

“I was incredibly impressed by the calm, professional, and effective way our doctors, nurses, porters, managers, and wider support teams managed this complex simulation, whilst demonstrating real teamwork and adaptability.”