Respiratory ECMO – Launching a National Service in a Pandemic and the Future

14:00 - 16:30

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) provides temporary life support to adults with severe respiratory failure, while allowing the lungs to rest and recover from injury. NHS Grampian is home to Scotland’s national respiratory ECMO service, with the adult ECMO service based within the Royal Infirmary Hospital in Aberdeen. This visit will explore the learning and development achieved since the launch of the national commissioned service at the start of the (COVID-19) pandemic.  Since it was established, the service has provided ECMO support to over 60 patients and managed over 350 referrals from all over Scotland. Delegates will hear how those accepted are retrieved by a team of specialists from Aberdeen who travel to the patient by ambulance, usually placing them on ECMO and returning them to the specialist facilities in NHS Grampian. As well as providing treatment to these patients since its launch, the service has provided training and progression opportunities for staff who wish to specialise in ECMO. 

Please note that the Experience Day visits have limited capacity, so early booking is advised. 

  • Travel arrangements: Transport to and from the venue will be provided on the day. Delegates are asked to meet at the front entrance to the P&J. Delegates will then be transported back to the P&J Live after the visit. 

  • Meeting time/location: 14:00, outside the main entrance to the Hilton Hotel (which is next to the P&J Live)

  • Session duration: 14:30 – 16:00 

  • Arrive back at P&J Live: Approx. 16:30 

  • Venue: University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill Campus 

  • Format: Presentation, video diary footage and demonstration of the highly complex patient retrieval process.