TACS Education Activities

In addition to delivering exceptional patient care, we are also committed to education and continuous learning for both our team members and hospital staff.

We believe that ongoing education is crucial for providing the best possible care to our patients and for keeping our team up-to-date on the latest best practices and techniques.

To support this goal, we offer a range of in-hospital educational activities, including lectures, grand rounds, simulation training, and case presentations. These educational opportunities allow our team to deepen their knowledge and skills, and they also provide a forum for sharing ideas and best practices with colleagues.

Trauma Education Meetings

This meeting is open to all staff in the SWSLHD each Thursday at 7:30am. Nearly 50 doctors, nurses and paramedical staff attend to review the week's trauma cases. The principle objective is to maintain knowledge in Trauma case identity and rectify problems.

Acute Care Surgery Education Meetings (TACS Journal Club)

This meeting is open to all general surgical staff every Friday from 11:00am in TACS Meeting Room (the Igloo). This education session is aligned for fellowship exam practice, and covers the latest reviews and information on acute care surgery.

Clinical Teaching Rounds

Every day the TACS Unit holds a consultant led ward round which all members of staff involved in trauma are welcome to attend: regular attendees include the surgical team, nurses from the Trauma Ward and the Brain Injury Unit, the ICU team, anaesthesia and other surgical specialty teams.

Preparation Program for RACS Fellowship

Our goal is to train highly skilled surgeons who are prepared to excel in the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) Fellowship examination and in their future careers as leaders in trauma and acute care surgery.

Radiology Multidisciplinary Meeting

TACS conducts daily multidisciplinary radiology review meetings with our Emergency Radiologists. These meetings are an important part of our commitment to patient safety, quality assurance and education for our trainees. During the meetings, we discuss cases with surgeons, radiologists, and other members of the healthcare team. This multidisciplinary approach allows for a comprehensive review of patient care and helps to identify areas for improvement

Trauma Nursing In-services

Weekly nursing in-services are offered across Liverpool Hospital to all nursing staff. We also provide weekend education to facilitate the professional development of after-hours staff. The aim is to provide knowledge critical thinking skills in the management of trauma patients.

Local Health District Medical and Nursing Education Program

TACS organises regular educational programs for health professionals across all of our five local health district hospitals.

ICC (Intercostal Catheter) Credentialing

Our credentialing program is designed to ensure that all trainees are proficient in this important technique. All trainees receive hands-on training with the guidance of our experienced faculty, and will have the opportunity to practice and demonstrate their skills in a simulated environment. Upon completion of the credentialing program, trainees will be able to confidently and competently insert intercostal catheters in a real patient care setting. This training is an important part of our commitment to providing the highest level of care to our patients and forms a compulsory component of our registrars’ and fellows’ training.
Dr Valerie Malka is the Director of the Trauma and Acute Care Surgical Unit at Liverpool Hospital. She was the previous Director of Trauma Services at Westmead Hospital for over a decade. She is an EMST Director and DSTC Instructor with a great passion for trauma and acute care surgery. With special interests in education and quality assurance she has worked extensively in patient safety and the maintenance of ethics in healthcare. Valerie has worked with the International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Rescue Committee and holds a Diploma in International Humanitarian Assistance from Geneva University and a Master’s Degree in International Public Health with a major in Humanitarian Law. She also holds a Master’s degree in Journalism and works freelance writing medical, health and wellbeing articles.