ABOUT US

Mid Yorkshire Regional Anaesthesia Group (MYRAG) We are very fortunate to have Anaesthetists who are very keen on Ultrasound-guided Regional Anaesthesia, and do a major amount of these blocks on a regular basis. MYRAG was formed over 2 years ago, and this group met on a regular basis to discuss various blocks, their advantages and disadvantages, and difficulties in doing these Ultrasound-guided blocks. It is due the tireless efforts of this group that enabled the Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust to get 16 top of the range ultrasound machines in various departments in Pinderfields General Hospital, Pontefract General Infirmary and Dewsbury District Hospital improved access to these ultrasound machines have really helped to improve the quality and the number of these blocks to be done, to more than 2000 per year. The specialities where these blocks are routinely done are Plastic Surgery, Orthopaedics, General Surgery, Vascular surgery, Urology, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, etc.

This has provided us with a ready-made source of interested faculty. Even our trainees have agreed to come back as faculty after they have procured their consultant status in other hospitals. Each one of the Faculty has attended various courses in the UK and abroad, and have used the experience to perfect their individual techniques. Many of us are faculty on National and International Ultrasound-guided Regional Anaesthesia Courses.

We have decided to use this vast wealth of experience and expertise to run MYRAG courses. One of the main problem that we see is the significant cuts in Study leave budgets, but the cost of the courses have not come down in line with that. In fact, the courses have become more expensive, and are over a longer period of time necessitating significant spend on accommodation and food, over and above the often extortionate amount of money for fees of these courses.

We have spent long periods of time to make our MYRAG course as complete and useful as possible. The courses have included important didactic lectures, but only for the first hour of the day. The rest of the day is spent with the delegates getting the maximum hands-on experience to familiarise themselves with the sono-anatomy of the upper limb, lower limb, abdomen and the lumbar spine, which will make them more confident to use the knowledge and techniques acquired during this course to provide safer and better regional anaesthesia and analgesia. We have the use of our brand new, state-of-the-art Medical Education Centre, and full use of the audio-visual facilities to make the day as informative as possible. Included in the delegate fee is a delegate bag, a course book, full day of teaching and learning, use of the ultrasound on live models and blue phantoms, tea/coffee , all refreshments and lunch, and also includes a Course Dinner!! It provides an excellent value for money.

MYRAG course is the first course of its kind to offer continued support from the faculty even after the course has finished, to enable them to discuss difficult and interesting problems they may face in the future. It is email based, but can also provide help and advice over the phone.

Wakefield is easily accessible by road, train and have numerous airports nearby. The hotels are very close to the venue and are very reasonable.