FREC 4 COURSE

Advance your pre‑hospital emergency care skills with FREC 4 course

Overview

The Level 4 Certificate in First Response Emergency Care (FREC 4) at Solent Medical Skills is a 5‑day (39 hour) advanced course delivered in Southampton. It builds on FREC 3 to add practical skills and underpinning knowledge for higher‑risk and remote environments, as well as giving progression to NHS Emergency Care Assistant (ECA) roles.

Entry Guidance

Most candidates will have successfully completed FREC 3 within the last 3 years before enrolling on FREC 4. NHS‑trained ECAs may enter directly. Learners must be 18+ years old on the first day. After achievement, the qualification remains valid while a CPD portfolio is maintained and an annual half‑day refresher is completed. Learners have up to 12 months to complete the qualification, including any referrals.

Pre‑Course Reading

Mandatory: Ambulance Care Practice (if you already hold FREC 3). This complements Ambulance Care Essentials recommended at FREC 3 – available from our awarding body Qualsafe.

If entering with prior learning (not FREC 3), Ambulance Care Essentials/Practice is still strongly recommended but not mandatory.

Content

The FREC 4 course covers medical, trauma, cardiac, respiratory, paediatric, and maternity emergencies, alongside ECG interpretation, airway management, and the use of clinical monitoring equipment. Major incident awareness, safeguarding, and multi-agency working are also introduced.

Through repeated patient assessment scenarios, learners gain confidence, clinical reasoning skills, and practical insight to support safe and effective emergency care.