August 2025 marked the fourth consecutive year that the NT Regional Training Hub partnered with Dr Nadi Pandithage to deliver a series of Point of Care Ultrasound (PoCUS) workshops in Nhulunbuy, East Arnhem.
With the support of Australasian College for Emergency Medicine’s (ACEM) Emergency Medicine Education and Training (EMET) these sessions brought together medical students, pre-vocational doctors, GP registrars, GP rural generalists, emergency specialists, sonographers and acute care nurses to build practical hands-on ultrasound skills tailored to remote and regional healthcare settings.
Two hands-on workshops were delivered to 18 doctors and three medical students:
- Workshop 1: Focused on eFAST and lung ultrasound for trauma and respiratory assessment.
- Workshop 2: Covered vascular access, lymph nodes, foreign bodies, soft tissue, nerve blocks and deep vein thrombosis – key skills for acute care in remote settings. 100% of participants reported increased confidence in performing ultrasound-guided procedures.
A dedicated session was delivered to 12 acute care nurses from Gove District Hospital and Miwatj Health practicing ultrasound skills in bladder volume measurement, ultrasound-guided peripheral IV access & knobology and basic ultrasound physics. The workshop aimed to build foundational PoCUS skills and boost clinical confidence in acute care environments. 100% of participant responses from the nursing workshop said they would recommend this workshop to their colleagues.
These results reflect a strong endorsement of the workshop’s relevance and impact on clinical confidence.
Participants praised the workshops for their practical relevance, expert facilitation, and collaborative atmosphere. The workshops also fostered stronger professional networks across East Arnhem, reinforcing the value of locally delivered, context-specific training.
Dr Rajendra Pillay, Regional Director of Medical Services at Gove District Hospital, shared his support:
“Your commitment to advancing the training and development of medical professionals is commendable. By equipping our doctors with these essential skills, you are significantly contributing to improved patient care and outcomes in our community – whilst also fostering a collaborative learning environment that encourages the exchange of ideas and experiences.”
Looking ahead to 2026, the NT Regional Training Hub is working towards expanding ultrasound training to Tennant Creek, continuing its commitment to building ultrasound capability across remote and regional communities.
For future training opportunities, stay connected with NT Regional Training Hub or reach out at fnt.rth@flinders.edu.au.