Immediate Life Support (ILS) course

e-ILS - Immediate Life Support e-learning

The Resuscitation Council (UK) Immediate Life Support (ILS) course was launched in 2002. It was developed in response to a demand from healthcare professionals who may have to act as first responders and treat patients in cardiac arrest until the arrival of a cardiac arrest team.

Each year, on average, 11,000 courses are held and 100,000 healthcare professionals are trained.

Who is course suitable for?

The eILS course is suitable for doctors, medical students, nurses, nursing students, midwives, healthcare providers such as physiotherapists, dentist and ambulance technicians. It may also be suitable for fire service technicians, police personnel and prison officers.

Learning outcomes
The ILS course teaches the knowledge and skills to:

• identify the causes and promote the prevention of cardiopulmonary arrest;
• recognise and treat the deteriorating patient using the ABCDE approach;
• undertake the skills of quality CPR and defibrillation (manual and /or AED) and simple airway manoeuvres;
• utilise non-technical skills to facilitate initial leadership and effective team membership

Course structure
e-ILS courses are held at centres throughout the UK and are approved and certified by the Resuscitation Council (UK). This ensures a uniformity of content and standard regardless of the centre.

The e-ILS course is a half-day e-learning and half-day face-to-face and consists of skills stations and cardiac arrest simulations. 

Assessment and Certification
Assessment is continuous and is guided by the assessment forms provided for each core skill (e.g. initial resuscitation and assessment, and airway management). Copies of the assessment forms should be forwarded to the candidate with their manual.

Successful candidates receive a Resuscitation Council (UK) ILS provider certificate, which is valid for one year. The ILS course is recognised for up to 5 continuing professional development (CPD) points.

Pre-course preparation
The manual is sent / collected approximately two weeks before the start of the course (this is only if it is the candidates first course). Candidates are expected to have prepared for the course by reading the manual and completing the pre-course MCQ.

Course availability and application

Internal applicants (including WUTH employed medical staff) - please select the course you wish to attend via ESR

External applicants – please complete the external application form below and send to anne.ellis4@nhs.net and patricia.trimmer@nhs.net