National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre

The NCCTRC was delighted to host representatives from the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Crisis Response Team, as well as military teams from Timor-Leste, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, UK and the Australian Defence Force, for the international humanitarian aid and disaster relief (HADR) Exercise Bhakti Kanyini AusIndo 2024 (EX BKA 24).

Military and government personnel toured our Headquarters and explored the Centre’s deployable capabilities, with a focus on AUSMAT’s specialist training in laboratory, pharmacy, IT and logistics.

We look forward to strengthening relationships to enhance preparedness for health emergencies.

Meet Nia Owens, a medical doctor and one of our newest AUSMAT recruits with a dynamic and adventurous career that spans continents. Originally from Wales, Mia is now working in Crescent Head, NSW as a rural and remote GP specialising in emergency and retrieval medicine.

Nia became attracted to diverse and challenging roles available in Australia and relocated 12 years ago. “Australia offers many interesting medical roles, especially in rural or remote areas where you gain valuable skills by managing situations independently or with a small team due to limited specialist support,” she says.

“I started retrieval work with the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia. Aeromedical care adds another layer of complexity when working in remote locations,” she explains. In these areas, Nia has developed essential skills, learning to be flexible and manage situations with minimal specialist care.

Joining the AUSMAT family was a natural progression for Nia, whose commitment to humanitarian work has taken her to some of the world’s most challenging environments. Prior to joining AUSMAT, Nia participated in humanitarian missions in Ukraine during the ongoing conflict, in Türkiye following the 2023 earthquake and in Gaza, where she helped set up a field hospital and mobile clinics. "I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside other Emergency Medical Teams (EMTs) and humanitarian organisations, and every mission has reinforced my passion for providing care in some of the most challenging conditions. Joining AUSMAT allows me to continue this vital work."

Coming up in Katherine… Registrations are now open for two essential courses designed to enhance your major incident response skills.

Join the NCCTRC’s Education team on Wednesday 18 September for the one-day Major Incident Medical Management and Support (MIMMS) Team Provider course. This course equips healthcare professionals and emergency responders with a structured approach to managing major incidents and includes a hands-on triage simulation with mass casualties, giving participants the opportunity to apply their skills in real-time.

On Thursday 19 September, the team will deliver the Hospital Major Incident Medical Management and Support (HMIMMS) Team Provider course. Designed for hospital staff involved in major incident management, this course introduces a scalable hierarchy for managing hospital-based emergencies. It is ideal for both clinical and non-clinical personnel responsible for handling major incidents within a hospital setting.

Register for both MIMMS and HMIMMS courses and the NCCTRC will sponsor your HMIMMS course. For more information and to register, visit https://nationaltraumacentre.gov.au/calendar/

🎉 Congratulations to all the participants who successfully completed the Remote Pre-Hospital Trauma and Disaster Course (RPHTDC) in Jabiru, NT. 🎉

Delivered by the Royal Darwin Hospital Trauma Service team, this immersive course combines theory and practical skills, equipping participants with the knowledge to effectively handle trauma and disaster scenarios in challenging pre-hospital environments.

The RPHTDC is specifically designed for Remote Area Nurses, Remote Medical Practitioners, Medical and Nursing Professionals, Retrieval Specialists, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners (ATSIHPs), Emergency Services, Mine Rescue, and Australian Defence Force health personnel.

On this , we celebrate and recognize the incredible volunteers, workers, and everyone who devotes their lives to humanitarian efforts. Thank you to our AUSMAT members, operational support teams, and global partners for their dedication to helping those in need during humanitarian crises. Your work is truly inspiring.

The Royal Darwin Hospital Trauma Service recently delivered the Remote Area Trauma Education (RATE) course to participants in Alice Springs, Northern Territory.

With participants from diverse clinical backgrounds, the course provided a platform for sharing and learning from real-life experiences in the field.
Through theoretical knowledge, simulations, and hands-on learning, the course aimed to enhance participants' skills to safely assess and manage trauma patients within a remote health centre until the arrival of a retrieval team.

A big congratulations to all participants who successfully completed the course!

Curious about our courses? Head to our website for more info https://nationaltraumacentre.gov.au/training-courses/

The NCCTRC was delighted to host NT Commissioner for Public Employment Nicole Hurwood and her team for a tour of our Headquarters in Darwin.

Led by Kath McDermott, Acting Director of Disaster Preparedness and Response, the tour highlighted the Centre’s deployable capabilities. The team gained valuable insights into AUSMAT’s national personnel resources, activation processes, and the critical human and physical resources required to ensure AUSMAT’s operational readiness.

Meet Aruna Shivam, an Emergency Physician with a passion for working in austere environments and humanitarian medicine. Aruna recently participated in an AUSMAT Team Member (TM) course and currently lives in the Top End of Australia, dividing her time between the Royal Darwin Hospital, Katherine Hospital, CareFlight Top End, and international work in Timor-Leste through the Australian College of Emergency Medicine. Her extensive experience in pre-hospital care and resource-limited settings, coupled with her commitment to working in challenging environments, has uniquely prepared her for a role with AUSMAT.

Aruna’s dedication to humanitarian work has led her to seek opportunities to practice emergency care in austere and resource-limited settings. "Practicing medicine in these environments involves working in remote and often harsh conditions, where resources are scarce and adaptability is key," she explains. Her career has consistently centered on providing care in some of the most challenging conditions, making her a natural fit for AUSMAT.

Aruna sees joining AUSMAT as a natural extension of her career and interests. "As an emergency physician, I thrive in crisis situations and perform best under pressure. AUSMAT offers a unique opportunity to apply my skills in challenging conditions and contribute meaningfully in both austere and humanitarian contexts."

Reflecting on the AUSMAT TM course, Aruna appreciated the rigorous preparation and the chance to step out of her comfort zone. One of the most profound aspects of the training for her was working with diverse professionals from various backgrounds. "In emergency settings, I usually work with familiar teams. I don’t often get the opportunity to work directly with logisticians or medical scientists, so it was very interesting to learn how different people operate and navigate this unfamiliar territory," she said.

With her training now complete, Aruna plans to revisit the course materials with the experience she has gained, aiming to deepen her understanding and further enhance her contributions on future AUSMAT missions.

Welcome to the AUSMAT family, Aruna!

AUSMAT is enhancing its surgical cache within the EMT Type 2 Emergency and Surgical Field Hospital to strengthen the team's preparedness for health emergencies. Led by experienced Perioperative Nurses: Merrilyn Diverall and Wendy Rogers, this project focuses on comprehensive audits, procurement of suitable equipment, and updating training and standards. By integrating real-world experiences and lessons learned, AUSMAT aims to ensure its surgical teams are always equipped, prepared and ready.
Discover more about this vital initiative and its impact on future deployments.

Read the full story via link below 👇

Project launch: Enhancing AUSMAT’s surgical cache for future deployments - National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre By Kath McDermott, Acting Director Disaster Preparedness and Response. Merrilyn Diverall, BHlth Sc(Nurs), Grad. Cert Periop, Grad. Cert Anaes/PACU, Grad Cert. Emerg, Cert.1V TAA, Ma.Edn (Research), AUSMAT Surgical Cache Review…

NCCTRC’s Regional Engagement Program (REP) recently hosted a Country Planning Workshop (CPW) in , working with key stakeholders to strengthen health emergency preparedness and response capabilities.

The workshop provided a platform to discuss and develop innovative strategies to support Tonga's health emergency goals, marking a significant step towards building a resilient health system.

Funded by the Australian Government, the workshop provided a valuable opportunity to outline the REP’s activity streams – Clinical Care, Rehabilitation and Emergency Management, and to collaboratively discuss how REP can contribute to Tonga achieving its health emergency preparedness and response goals.

Mālō to all participants and supporters of this initiative. We are excited about future collaborations and the positive impact we can achieve together in Tonga.

Meet Tom Solano, a rural medical practitioner Queensland our newest AUSMAT recruits who participated in a recent AUSMAT Team Member course. With a diverse background in general practice, anaesthetics, and emergency medicine, Tom has had extensive experience in remote and wilderness medicine.

Tom found the six-week online component of the course to be extremely valuable in preparing participants for an intense week of in-person training. Describing the AUSMAT training as "a fantastic, high-fidelity week of intense training," he appreciated the rigorous preparation. Tom particularly valued the mentorship program, where he received guidance from experienced an AUSMAT member. "My mentor really complimented the online training. They shared top tips and insights that you wouldn't necessarily find in a guidebook about what to expect on deployment, which put many of my concerns at ease, especially regarding being away from my young family," he said.

Tom was also struck by AUSMAT's approach to humanitarian aid. "AUSMAT represents a holistic and considered approach to humanitarian aid. It strikes a chord with me and aligns perfectly with my passion for helping people in times of great need, in a respectful and effective manner."

To ensure AUSMAT is equipped, prepared, and ready, 24 AUSMAT members from across the country completed the AUSMAT Team Member Refresher course. This course provided an opportunity for members who have not previously deployed or deployed recently to enhance their knowledge and skills through pre-course learning, faculty presentations, hands-on workshops and simulations. Participants also learned updated processes and procedures in an austere environment, further enhancing their readiness for future missions.

Well done to all for successfully completing the course! 🎉

Australia’s internationally recognised ability to respond to national health emergencies was further strengthened with the opening of the NCCTRC training facility at Bees Creek. The purpose-built Bees Creek training facility, funded by the Australian Government on land provided by the Territory Labor Government, supports the NCCTRC in providing training to both Australian Medical Assistance Team (AUSMAT) personnel, and other emergency responders from across Australia and the Indo-Pacific. The opening by Senator the Hon Malarndirri McCarthy, Minister for Indigenous Australians and Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health, with Health Minister the Hon Selena Uibo, also acknowledged the funding commitment by the Albanese Government to ensure the NCCTRC is equipped and ready for health emergencies, both domestically and internationally.

The NCCTRC’s Regional Engagement Program (REP) recently visited to deliver three short courses: Essentials of Critical Care (ECC), Hospital Major Incident Medical Management & Support (HMIMMS) and Rehabilitation in Disasters and Emergencies (RIDE). Over 40 participants attended these courses, which are focused on strengthening regional capacity for an effective and equitable response to health emergencies.

Funded by the Australian Government, the courses aimed to enhance local clinical skills and health emergency preparedness capabilities.

👏 Congratulations to all participants on their successful completion of these courses, and mālō ‘aupito to everyone who supported.

Australia in Tonga
Ministry of Health Tonga

Her Excellency the Governor-General of Australia visited Darwin and toured the NCCTRC Headquarters. The Governor-General enjoyed meeting the team, learning about their work, and thanking them for their dedication in keeping Australia equipped, prepared, and ready for health emergencies.

The AUSMAT Team Member (TM) course has recently transformed from a one-week in-person program to a comprehensive six-week online course with a one-week residency.

The shift to a blended learning model aims to enhance participants' skills and confidence by combining self-paced online learning with hands-on practical training. A key feature is the mentorship program, where experienced AUSMAT members guide new teammates, fostering camaraderie and trust. Abigail Trewin, Director of Education, discusses the motivations behind this shift and its impact on participants.

Read the full story via: https://nationaltraumacentre.gov.au/news/building-confidence-and-skills-with-adult-learning-principles-a-new-approach-to-ausmat-training/

The NCCRTC’s Regional Engagement Program recently travelled to Palau to deliver the Major Incident Medical Management and Support (MIMMS) course to KLEMAT, Palau’s national emergency medical team, and other first responders who may be involved in responding to mass casualty events.

Funded by the Australian Government, the course was delivered in partnership with the Australian Embassy, Palau and the Ministry of Health & Human Services - Republic of Palau. Participants from across Palau engaged in theoretical and practical exercises focusing on health emergency response, teamwork, communication, and leadership.

Congratulations to all participants who completed the course!

In Timor-Leste, Lourdes Lay has been instrumental in integrating physiotherapy into the local healthcare system. As the Head of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Hospital Nacional Guido Valadares - HNGV, she's increased the number of trained physiotherapists, raised public awareness, and integrated advanced practices and technologies into the healthcare system. Inspired by her early experiences working in a local healthcare clinic, Lourdes went on to study physiotherapy in Australia.

Discover how she’s transforming lives and communities with physiotherapy in the full story via 👉

Integrating physiotherapy into Timorese culture with Lourdes Lay - National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre In Timor-Leste, the awareness and integration of physiotherapy into the local healthcare system has been growing thanks to the efforts of professionals like Lourdes Lay, Head of Department for Physical…

📢 Calling healthcare professionals and emergency responders in Alice Springs 📢

Enhance your skills and knowledge for major incidents and mass casualty events with our upcoming Major Incident Medical Management and Support (MIMMS) Advanced course on 20 – 22 August. Registration closes next Monday 15 July.

During the course, you will:
✔️ Learn command, safety and communication protocols
✔️ Enhance assessment, triage, and treatment skills
✔️ Develop leadership capabilities for emergency situations

Designed for healthcare professionals and emergency responders in senior positions likely to take a coordination or command role, this course ensures you gain hands-on experience and valuable skills.

Click the link to learn more and register: https://nationaltraumacentre.gov.au/calendar/mimms-advanced-7/

🎉🚑Happy International Paramedics Day!

Today we celebrate paramedics and first responders, acknowledging the difference they make in crisis situations and raise awareness of the profession and the settings in which they work.

NCCTRC would like to thank the paramedics within our AUSMAT cohort and Asia Pacific colleagues for their dedicated work.

It was a privilege to host 12 delegates from the Korea Disaster Relief Team (KDRT) for a week-long, in-person tour of NCCTRC’s Headquarters and training facility in Darwin to showcase the Centre’s AUSMAT training capabilities.

KDRT is the overseas emergency relief team of the South Korean government, which aims to mitigate and recover damage, rescue lives and provide medical relief assistance.

As part of the tour, and in an effort to exchange knowledge, KDRT joined participants of the recent AUSMAT Team Member Course to observe and participate in the training sessions.

🎉Congratulations to our newest AUSMAT members! 👏

23 health practitioners and logisticians from across Australia have successfully completed the latest AUSMAT Team Member Course.

The course is made up of a combination of theory and practical sessions that aim to give participants a realistic overview of what they may experience on an AUSMAT deployment.

Successful completion of the course is an essential component of preparation for an AUSMAT deployment.

Congratulations to 10 health professionals from across Australia who recently completed the Workshop for AUSMAT Security Risk Management. 👏

In partnership with Rich Parker from Training In Aid, the five-day workshop aims to equip security focal points to enhance their expertise in security risk management (SRM) according to ISO standards 31000. The training targets the skills and knowledge areas necessary to expand the cadre of AUSMAT members.

Last chance to apply for NCCTRC’s upcoming Remote Pre-Hospital Trauma and Disaster Course (RPHTDC) in Jabiru on 8-9 August 2024.

This two-day course is designed for personnel who respond to pre-hospital incidents, offering both theoretical knowledge and practical skills to effectively manage trauma or disaster patients in the pre-hospital environment.

Registrations close on Friday 5 July 2024. For more information and to secure your spot, visit 👉 https://nationaltraumacentre.gov.au/calendar/remote-pre-hospital-trauma-and-disaster-course-rphtdc-2/

The next edition of Quarterly Connect is coming soon…

Keep up to date with the latest from NCCTRC, AUSMAT, and our Asia-Pacific colleagues!

Subscribe now through the NCCTRC website: https://nationaltraumacentre.gov.au/

The NCCTRC Regional Engagement Program (REP) recently delivered two Hospital Major Incident Medical Management & Support (HMIMMS) courses at Hospital Nacional Guido Valadares - HNGV in Dili, Timor.

Funded by the Australian Government, the courses were conducted alongside faculty from the Asia-Pacific to strengthen capacity for the national health and emergency workforce to respond to mass casualty incidents within hospital environments.

Participants came from a vast range of professional backgrounds and contributed in small group workshops, tabletop simulation sessions and explored the challenges facing hospital staff during the phases of patient reception, definitive care and recovery.

Congratulations to all who completed the course 🎉

The NCCTRC in collaboration with St John NT provided critical care support to the Darwin Supercars event over the weekend.

Utilised as an training opportunity to strengthen health emergency preparedness locally and relationships with key stakeholders, the team provided medical support to all competitors, crews and officials. This included running a medical clinic, deploying medical response roaming crews throughout the ‘Race Paddock’ and 'Pits’ and staffing medical crews within the Racetrack Response Vehicles known as Victor 1, 2 and 3.

Thank you to Buslink again this year for providing their special needs passenger bus. Our logisticians reconfigured it with stretcher capability as part of the event emergency response plan and to ensure preparedness in the event of an incident requiring mass casualty response.

The NCCTRC Trauma and P.A.R.T.Y. Program team recently participated in AANT's Street Smart High, a one-day event dedicated to providing real road safety education for high school students. The event saw over 1,200 students and 200 teachers from the Top End come together with road safety advocates, emergency response professionals, and crash survivors.

The NCCTRC Trauma and P.A.R.T.Y Program team were honoured to be involved in the annual event.

For more information about P.A.R.T.Y, visit https://partyprogram.nt.gov.au/

Congratulations to all participants who recently completed the Rehabilitation in Disasters and Emergencies (RIDE) course in Suva and Labasa, Fiji.

Funded by the Australian Government and delivered as part of the Regional Engagement Program (REP), the course introduces rehabilitation professionals working across the acute and sub-acute clinical pathways to the concept of rehabilitation in disasters and emergencies.

It teaches participants about key components of delivering rehabilitation in disasters and emergencies and activates strategic thinking around disaster response, planning, and preparedness.

Special thanks to Monisha Mamta Rao from National Council for Persons with Disabilities in Labasa, and Simione Bula from CBM Australia in Suva. Their presentations on disability in disaster preparedness and response were invaluable contributions to the course.

Congratulations to our newest AUSMAT members—welcome to the AUSMAT family! 🥳

25 health professionals and logistics personnel recently completed the AUSMAT Team Member Course. The course consists of a combination of theoretical and practical sessions that aim to give participants an overview of what they may experience on an AUSMAT deployment.

Successful completion of the course is an essential component of preparation for an AUSMAT deployment.