Hundreds of health professionals are joining together at The Grand Hotel in Brighton today to learn how trauma preparations have evolved since the Brighton bombing 38 years ago.
The Preparing for a Mass Casualty Event conference, run by the Sussex Trauma Network which is led by a team from University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, will look back at past major incidents and highlight the updated systems now in place for any potential incidents.
Consultant Anaesthetist Stephanie Tilston, who organised the conference, said: “We are really proud as the Sussex Trauma Network to be able to organise and host an event like this bringing health professionals together.
“We have an excellent line up of speakers who will provide expert and real life insight into responding to major incidents.
“Changes in technology, communication and contingency plans have evolved over the years, accelerated more recently by Covid. We have a comprehensive plan that addresses mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery activities for any major health and medical event.”
This event is particularly poignant as former Royal Sussex County Hospital ED consultant Carlos Perez-Avila MBE will be talking about the response to the 1984 Brighton bombing in the very building the attack occurred.
Other speakers include Sir Keith Porter, Professor of Clinical Traumatology, who will talk about the citizenAID APP, which helps the general public stay safe and improvise health treatment before emergency services arrive in the event of a major incident, and Dr Alistair Rennie, an ED Consultant, who will talk about the Manchester Arena bombing.