Solent Medical Skills is a leading provider of First Response Emergency Care (FREC) pre-hospital qualifications. Come and enjoy our modern waterside training centre in Southampton!

What is FREC 3 for?

This entry point is aimed at people who may or may not have previous medical experience and who want to work as a pre-hospital emergency care provider, ie. events, close protection, maritime security etc. This is recognized by the Security Industries Authority (SIA). This level is an up-skill from FPOS-I and is the ideal way to ensure that your clinicians have the ability to deal more effectively with their patients.

Most candidates will have to successfully complete FREC 3 before being allowed onto the FREC 4 course, however if you have NHS training at ECA level or above, you can go straight onto FREC 4. For those with no previous medical experience, you will have to do the full 5-day Level 3 before attempting FREC 4. If you can demonstrate appropriate prior medical learning/experience, you may be able to do the 3-day FPOS-I to FREC 3 conversion course, which should you choose, will ensure you are ready for the FREC 4. This shorter course is particularly suitable for those wanting clinical progression from FPOS-I. Please note, we are not currently doing these 3-day conversions due to pressure from other FREC courses.

What is FREC 4 for?

This is going to add more underpinning knowledge and practical skills to your level 3 and will be neccessary if you want to work within the NHS as a frontline ambulance Emergency Care Assistant (ECA). It is ideal where security personnel and others with a medical interest or specific responsibility can better prepare themselves for high risk/remote environments.

What is FREC 5 for?

This diploma is for those seeking a fully autonomous role, either within some NHS ambulance trusts or at events/remote locations. It will be one academic level higher than the traditional IHCD Technician. Some Ambulance Trusts are using FREC 5’s both as full-time and part-time staff. A Level 5 clinician will be able to prescribe a range of drugs in emergency situations, including intra-muscular injections of Glucagon, Hydrocortizone and Adrenaline 1/1000. To be able to give these and other drugs, the clinician will usually need to be under the a patient group directive from an employer/organisation.

FREC 5 learners will need to have a C1 endorsement on their driving licences and hold a Level 3 CERAD blue light driving qualification before they can complete the 750 post-course frontline hours in an ambulance (see blue box link below for CERAD qualification specifications).

And what about our instructors?

Our NHS trained instructors are all qualified trainers and IQA’s. They are very experienced up to IHCD Technician or Registered Paramedic/Senior Paramedic Practitioner level. Their experience gained from many thousands of hours on frontline ambulances and rapid response cars will be available during these courses.

And peace of mind?

All of these qualifications are regulated by the UK’s qualifications regulator – OFQUAL. This helpfully brings things into line with the regulated security courses overseen by the SIA in the UK.

These qualifications have been clinically endorsed by the Faculty of Pre Hospital Care – The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. FREC 3 fulfils the competencies set out in Prehospital Emergency Medicine (PHEM) Skills Framework at descriptor Level D. This means that we can offer Prehospital Care qualifications that are both regulated and clinically endorsed, giving both employers and learners total assurance! In addition, FREC 4 sits on the PHEM framework at descriptor Level E.