Tracy Wilson and Shannin Howe at their PRIME course.

Recently 2 of the Tarawera Medical Centre Nurses, Tracy Wilson and Shannin Howe, completed the 1 week initial PRIME training course in Hamilton. PRIME is a scheme where rural practitioners train and work with St. John to provide emergency care. Tarawera Medical Centre has always supported our local ambulance attending emergencies as we feel that this is an important part of being health care providers in the town. It is a significant commitment with staff having to sometimes leave busy clinics to deal with emergencies but patients are very understanding as they would appreciate the care in an emergency themselves. This is reflected in the grateful feedback that we get from patients that we have attended.

Tracy and Shannin had an enjoyable week learning practical skills and as was to be expected on the first day they were back at work we were called out twice on PRIME calls so that they could put their training into practice.