The St.Emlyn’s Podcast

St Emlyn’s Blog and Podcast
  • 4.7 (11)
  • MEDICINE
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

A UK based Emergency Medicine podcast for anyone who works in emergency care. The St Emlyn ’s team are all passionate educators and clinicians who strive to bring you the best evidence based education. Our four pillars of learning are evidence-based medicine, clinical excellence, personal development and the philosophical overview of emergency care. We have a strong academic faculty and reputation for high quality education presented through multimedia platforms and articles. St Emlyn’s is a name given to a fictionalised emergency care system. This online clinical space is designed to allow clinical care to be discussed without compromising the safety or confidentiality of patients or clinicians.

  1. 2D AGO

    Ep 286 - Building HEMS in Northern Ireland: Systems, People, and the Legacy of John Hinds with Nigel Ruddell at BASICs 2025

    In this episode of the St Emlyn’s Podcast, we’re joined by Nigel Ruddell, Medical Director of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, recorded live at the BASICS Conference. This is a conversation about Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) — but not in the way you might expect. It’s not really about aircraft. It’s about people. Nigel talks us through the long, often uncomfortable journey to building Air Ambulance Northern Ireland. From early fundraising attempts in the 2000s, through the influence and legacy of Dr John Hinds, to the eventual partnership between charity and the statutory ambulance service that made a doctor–paramedic HEMS model possible. We explore: • Why the helicopter isn’t the intervention — the team is • The charity–NHS partnership model in Northern Ireland • Geography, rurality, and the realities of serving 1.9 million people • Dispatch challenges and the use of video triage (including the GoodSAM platform) • Cross-border working with the National Ambulance Service of Ireland • The cultural work required to convince colleagues that HEMS is not a “Cinderella service” • Humility, leadership, and the people who quietly build systems We also reflect on John Hinds's legacy and how his passion catalysed change, including the significance of the Delta 7 callsign. This is a thoughtful conversation about system design, pre-hospital care, and what it actually takes to introduce enhanced critical care capability into a region that has never had it before. If you enjoy thinking about pre-hospital medicine, trauma systems, and the future of emergency care, you may also want to look at: the IncrEMentuM Conference and Tactical Trauma And if you want to go deeper into the evidence behind the conversations we have on this podcast, explore MedPod Learn — now hosting nearly 5,000 medical podcast episodes with linked multiple-choice questions to support structured learning. As always, thanks for listening.

    17 min

  2. JAN 27

    Ep 285 - Resuscitative Hysterotomy with Caroline Leech at BASICs 2025

    In this episode of the St Emlyn’s Podcast, Iain Beardsell and Simon Carley talk with Caroline Leech at the BASICs Conference about resuscitative hysterotomy following maternal cardiac arrest. This is a calm, evidence-led discussion of a rare, high-stakes intervention that most clinicians will encounter once, if at all — and still need to get right. What we cover Why the term resuscitative hysterotomy has replaced perimortem caesarean section The physiological rationale: relieving aortocaval compression to improve maternal resuscitation What the evidence actually shows about timing, maternal survival, and neonatal outcomes Findings from Caroline’s systematic review of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in pregnancy Why the “4–5 minute rule” does not reflect real-world pre-hospital care Neonatal survival at far longer timelines than traditionally taught Practical decision-making in pre-hospital and emergency department settings Who should perform the procedure, and why speed matters more than seniority Aftercare challenges: open abdomen, placenta management, bleeding (or lack of it) Team cognitive load, role allocation, and when termination at scene is appropriate The emotional and professional impact on clinicians and families Key takeaways Maternal survival after out-of-hospital arrest is rare, but not zero Neonatal survival is higher than often appreciated, even with prolonged timelines Delaying purely to reach hospital or a specialist may reduce benefit The hardest part is not the incision — it is the decision, coordination, and aftermath Training should focus as much on judgement and communication as on technical skill This episode is not about heroics. It is about realism, evidence, and being prepared for one of the most confronting moments in emergency care. About MedPod Learn MedPod Learn is a medical podcast player designed to help turn listening into structured learning, with tools to support reflection, CPD, and appraisal. Available on the App Store and Google Play. IncrEMentum 2026 - April 22 - 24 IncrEMentuM was born to revolutionise how we approach emergency medicine. It’s not a traditional conference — it’s an immersive experience that pushes professionals to act, think, and make decisions in real time. Our mission is to bring together healthcare providers, experts, and emergency personnel from around the world to share experiences, train in realistic scenarios, and test their skills under extreme pressure. In 2026, we return with an even more intense and lifelike edition — all with one clear goal: to prepare you for what cannot be predicted. Tactical Trauma - April 22 - 24 This is an international conference covering various aspects of working in high-stakes environments, primarily related to pre-hospital trauma and critical care, with a tactical twist. Our program is rich and diverse, featuring state-of-the-art lectures from world-class speakers. We aim to bring together all organisations working with pre-hospital trauma in tactical/hostile environments, including physicians, HEMS, EMS, police anti-terror units, military, fire and rescue services and more.

    22 min

  3. JAN 13

    Ep 284 - Trauma, Cardiac Arrest, and the Myth of the Silver Bullet (October 2025)

    In this (rather delayed!) October round-up, Iain Beardsell and Simon Carley catch up on recent St Emlyn’s blog posts and papers that continue to shape emergency and resuscitation practice. The discussion moves across trauma, analgesia, cardiac arrest physiology, emergency department systems, and antimicrobial stewardship—less about novelty, more about what actually holds up on shift. Trauma and haemorrhage The episode opens with a discussion of the FIRST-2 trial, examining fibrinogen concentrate and prothrombin complex concentrate versus fresh frozen plasma in severe traumatic haemorrhage. Despite promising physiological theory, the trial shows no meaningful reduction in blood product use compared with standard care, reinforcing the ongoing role of FFP in early trauma resuscitation. Upper limb injuries and regional anaesthesia The team explore the SUPERB trial comparing supraclavicular brachial plexus blocks with Bier’s blocks for upper limb reductions. Both techniques provide excellent analgesia. The conversation reflects on changing practice, procedural sedation pressures, ultrasound access, and how physical space—not evidence—often dictates what we do. Cardiac arrest: signals worth paying attention to Three recent cardiac arrest papers are reviewed, focusing on physiological markers rather than new devices: End-tidal CO₂ as a CPR quality target Ventilation strategies during arrest, including chest-compression-synchronised ventilation Cerebral oximetry as a potential prognostic signal These are not definitive answers, but they point towards cardiac arrest management that is more physiological and less ritualistic. Emergency department systems: repair, not reinvention A reflective discussion on “designer repair” challenges the idea that emergency departments need constant transformation. Instead, the focus shifts to recognising and supporting the clinicians quietly holding fragile systems together every day—and why fixing small, broken things often matters more than grand redesigns. Sepsis and antibiotics The episode closes with a critical look at broad-spectrum antibiotic use in suspected sepsis. Observational data suggest significant overtreatment and real harm, reinforcing the need to pause, think, and choose the right antibiotic—not just the fastest one. This episode is a reminder that good emergency medicine is rarely about silver bullets. It’s about judgement, physiology, and paying attention to what actually works in the real world. About MedPod Learn MedPod Learn is a medical podcast player designed to help turn listening into structured learning, with tools to support reflection, CPD, and appraisal. Available on the App Store and Google Play.

    25 min

  4. JAN 2

    Ep 283 - Best Bits of 2025 — Bonus: Clinical Pearls

    This bonus episode is a quick-fire collection of clinical pearls drawn from across the St Emlyn’s podcast in 2025. Short, practical, and deliberately focused, these are the moments that make you stop and think: “That’s useful — I want that in my head.” There’s minimal commentary and no deep dives. Each clip stands on its own as a clear takeaway, designed to be listened to in one go or dipped back into when needed. In this episode Practical triage language that lowers thresholds and prompts earlier action Time-critical decision-making in pre-hospital thoracotomy Resuscitation physiology and why diastolic pressure matters Intraosseous access and the reality of long-term complications Analgesia strategies for rib fractures, including posterior injuries Hydrofluoric acid burns and why improvised treatment is a trap Recognising and acting on decompression illness Cognitive HALOs and preparing for rare, high-load decision moments Building excellence in teams, not just avoiding failure Compassionate resuscitation and the value of the pause This episode is designed to be saved, revisited, and shared — the kind of learning that pays off later. Featured episodes Clips in this episode are taken from the following full St Emlyn’s episodes: Episode 257 — Ten Second Triage with Sean Brayford-Harris Episode 270 — Insights on Cannabis Edibles, Pre-Hospital Thoracotomy and more Episode 266 — Monthly Round Up (February 2025): Skills Fade and Resuscitation Targets Episode 260 — Monthly Round Up (December 2024): IO Access and Chest Trauma Episode 268 — Top Papers of 2024 from The Big Sick Conference Episode 275 — Targeted Resuscitation and Hydrofluoric Acid Burns Episode 263 — Hyperbaric Medicine with Jeff Kerrie Episode 277 — Cognitive HALOs and Advanced Simulation Training Episode 264 — High Performance Teams with Dan Dworkis Episode 258 — Compassionate Resuscitation with Matt Hooper All full episodes are available in the podcast feed. About MedPod Learn MedPod Learn is a medical podcast player designed to help turn listening into structured learning, with tools to support reflection, CPD, and appraisal. Available on the App Store and Google Play.

    14 min

  5. 12/30/2025

    Ep 282 - Best Bits of 2025 — The Things You’ll Be Glad You Remember

    Some of the hardest moments in emergency medicine aren’t hard because they’re complicated. They’re hard because they’re rare — and when they arrive, you’re relying on things you last thought about a long time ago. This final episode in the Best Bits of 2025 series is the “file it away” collection: rare, high-stakes situations where preparation is largely cognitive, decisions are time-critical, and there may be no second chance. The clips in this episode are drawn from full St Emlyn’s episodes released during 2025 and focus on recognition, decision-making, and human factors in uncommon but consequential scenarios. In this episode, we explore How community response and live video have changed what happens before patients reach hospital Recognising and acting on decompression illness, even when presentations are subtle Cognitive HALOs — what happens to our thinking in rare, high-acuity situations Junctional haemorrhage and the role of the abdominal aortic junctional tourniquet Human decision-making under extreme pressure, illustrated through aviation medicine This episode is designed to be listened to slowly, and returned to when needed — the kind of learning that pays off long after you first hear it. Featured episodes Clips in this episode are taken from the following full St Emlyn’s episodes: Episode 262 — GoodSAM Update with Mark Wilson (London Trauma Conference) Episode 263 — Hyperbaric Medicine with Jeff Kerrie (London Trauma Conference) Episode 277 — Cognitive HALOs and Advanced Simulation Training with Halden Hutchinson-Bazely (BASICs) Episode 273 — Abdominal Aortic Junctional Tourniquet with Ed Barnard Episode 276 — Ejection Seats and the Injured Pilot with Phil Lucas (BASICs) All full episodes are available in the podcast feed. About MedPod Learn MedPod Learn is a medical podcast player designed to help turn listening into structured learning, with tools to support reflection, CPD, and appraisal. Available on the App Store and Google Play.

    14 min

  6. 12/27/2025

    Ep 281 - Best Bits of 2025: Getting Better the Sustainable Way

    January often brings pressure to improve — to fix gaps, sharpen skills, and somehow be better than the year before. Done badly, that drive can become another source of burnout. This third episode in the Best Bits of 2025 series focuses on how improvement actually works in emergency and acute care — and how to do it in a way that is realistic, sustainable, and kind to the people doing the work. The clips in this episode are drawn from full St Emlyn’s episodes released during 2025 and reflect some of the most practical conversations about learning, feedback, and professional development from the year. In this episode, we explore Why clinical skills fade faster than most of us realise — and why teaching is not the same as training How debriefing and video review can drive learning safely, when the culture is right The impact of artificial intelligence and algorithm-driven information on how clinicians learn and make decisions Why conferences, community, and being “in the room” still matter in medical education This episode is designed for listening on the way to work, on the way home, or during a quieter moment when you’re thinking about how to improve practice without adding more weight. Featured episodes Clips in this episode are taken from the following full episodes: Episode 259 — Skills Fade with Nathalie Pattyn (Tactical Trauma 24) Episode 265 — Excellence in Debriefing with Richard Lyon (London Trauma Conference) Episode 267 — Social Media and Artificial Intelligence in Medicine with Peter Brindley Episode 274 — What Medical Conferences Offer in 2025 and How They’ve Changed All full episodes are available in the podcast feed. About MedPod Learn MedPod Learn is a medical podcast player designed to help turn listening into structured learning, with optional tools to support reflection, CPD, and appraisal. Available on the App Store and Google Play.

    12 min

  7. 12/23/2025

    Ep 280 - Best Bits of 2025: Staying Human Under Pressure

    Winter pressure doesn’t just affect patient flow. It affects people. This second episode in the Best Bits of 2025 series focuses on the human side of emergency medicine: culture, moral injury, compassion, and the small but meaningful behaviours that help clinicians stay grounded when work is relentless. The clips in this episode are drawn from full St Emlyn’s podcast episodes released during 2025 and reflect some of the most thoughtful conversations of the year. In this episode, we explore: What a genuine learning culture looks like on shift — and why it matters more than workload Moral injury in emergency and prehospital care, and how it differs from day-to-day moral distress Compassionate resuscitation and “the pause” after a death Why small, practical actions can counter hopelessness, even when systems are broken The EPICC framework and the role of self-compassion in clinical practice This episode is designed for listening on shift, on the way home, or during a quieter moment over Christmas and New Year. Featured episodes Clips in this episode are taken from the following full St Emlyn’s episodes: Episode 256 — Monthly Update (November 2024): Learning culture in emergency medicine Episode 261 — Moral Injury with Caroline Leech (recorded at Tactical Trauma 24) Episode 258 — Compassionate Resuscitation with Matt Hooper (London Trauma Conference) Episode 264 — High Performance Teams with Dan Dworkis (Tactical Trauma 24) Episode 271 — Monthly Update (April and May 2025): EPICC and self-compassion All full episodes are available in the podcast feed. About MedPod Learn MedPod Learn is a medical podcast player designed to help turn listening into structured learning, with optional reflection and tools to support CPD and appraisal. Available on the App Store and Google Play.

    15 min

  8. 12/20/2025

    Ep 279 - Best Bits of 2025: Decisions When It’s Busy

    Emergency medicine strips decision-making back to its essentials when departments are full and time is short. This first episode in the Best Bits of 2025 series brings together some of the most practically useful moments from the St Emlyn’s podcast this year — focusing on how clinicians make good decisions under pressure, when conditions are far from ideal. Each clip comes from a full episode released in 2025. In this episode, we explore: How ten-second triage is designed to work on “worst-day” scenarios, not in textbooks The uncomfortable truth about why procedures sometimes get done — and why that matters Why time, not technique, is often the limiting factor in resuscitative thoracotomy The case for earlier invasive monitoring in the sickest patients Where thinking around double sequential defibrillation may be heading This episode is designed to be useful on shift, in the car, or during a quiet moment before the next job. Featured episodes Clips in this episode are taken from the following full St Emlyn’s episodes: Episode 257 — Ten Second Triage with Sean Brayford-Harris (Tactical Trauma 24) Episode 269 — Monthly Round Up (January 2025): Decision-making and prehospital RSI Episode 270 — Insights on Cannabis Edibles, Pre-Hospital Thoracotomy and more Episode 266 — Monthly Round Up (February 2025): Targeted resuscitation and arterial lines Episode 268 — Top Papers of 2024 from The Big Sick Conference All full episodes are available in the podcast feed. About MedPod Learn MedPod Learn is a clinician-built medical podcast player designed to turn listening into structured learning, with optional MCQs, reflection prompts, and saved activity for appraisal and CPD. You can find it on the App Store and Google Play.

    12 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.7
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

A UK based Emergency Medicine podcast for anyone who works in emergency care. The St Emlyn ’s team are all passionate educators and clinicians who strive to bring you the best evidence based education. Our four pillars of learning are evidence-based medicine, clinical excellence, personal development and the philosophical overview of emergency care. We have a strong academic faculty and reputation for high quality education presented through multimedia platforms and articles. St Emlyn’s is a name given to a fictionalised emergency care system. This online clinical space is designed to allow clinical care to be discussed without compromising the safety or confidentiality of patients or clinicians.

Information

  • Creator
    St Emlyn’s Blog and Podcast
  • Years Active
    2012 - 2026
  • Episodes
    288
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA
  • Show Website
    The St.Emlyn’s Podcast

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