Wessex · UK
About PREMIER
Paediatric Regional Emergency Medicine Innovation, Education & Research
A regional network dedicated to shaping the future of paediatric emergency care in Wessex — through world-class training, collaborative innovation, and impactful research.
Who We Are
PREMIER — the Paediatric Regional Emergency Medicine Innovation, Education & Research Network — was established to raise the standard of paediatric emergency medicine training and care across the Wessex region.
We recognise that working in Paediatric Emergency Medicine requires bespoke, high-level training. Our monthly regional training days bring together RCPCH and RCEM trainees, as well as trainee Advanced Clinical Practitioners, from across the region to learn together and become experts in delivering paediatric emergency care.
Beyond training, PREMIER connects the wider PEM community — consultants, trainees and allied health professionals — through collaborative research, quality improvement and our annual conference.
What We Cover
Our training days cover both clinical and non-clinical topics, reflecting the breadth of skills required to excel in paediatric emergency medicine:
- Technical clinical skills and emergency procedures
- Leadership, human factors and team development
- Mental health and adolescent care
- Inclusivity, diversity and patient experience
- Service improvement and business cases
- Research skills and quality improvement methodology
Sessions are designed to be practical, evidence-based and relevant to the day-to-day realities of working in paediatric emergency medicine across Wessex.
How Did It All Start?
Clarissa and Crystal first met in 2013 during their Emergency Medicine training in Wessex. Their shared passion for Paediatric Emergency Medicine (PEM) quickly sparked a long‑standing collaboration that has shaped PEM education across the region.
Together, they have developed a wide range of PEM‑focused courses, regional clinical guidance, and the PEM training programme for both RCPCH and RCEM resident doctors in Wessex. Their work continues to influence how trainees learn, grow, and deliver high‑quality care to children and young people.
Clarissa is now a PEM Consultant at University Hospital Southampton (UHS) and the Wessex Paediatric Trauma Lead.
Crystal is an EM and PEM Consultant at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust (PHUT) and is the RCEM PEM Training Lead for Wessex.
In 2023, their collaborative vision led to the launch of the first PREMIER Conference — a concept originally imagined by Clarissa and brought to life through their combined leadership. The conference was created to unite exceptional speakers and delegates from across the UK and beyond, while raising funds to support local education and training, children's charities, and paediatric injury prevention initiatives.
Their commitment to excellence in PEM, multidisciplinary learning, and continuous improvement remains at the heart of everything they do. Together, they champion opportunities that strengthen regional training and enhance the care provided to children, young people, and their families.
Our Three Pillars
Everything PREMIER does sits within one of three interconnected pillars.
Education
Monthly regional training days covering clinical skills, leadership, human factors, mental health, adolescent care, inclusivity and team development for PEM trainees across Wessex.
Find out more
Innovation
Driving service improvement and new approaches to paediatric emergency care through collaborative quality improvement projects and service development work.
Find out more
Research
Supporting and contributing to research that shapes the evidence base for paediatric emergency medicine across the region and beyond.
Find out more
Our Values
The principles that guide everything we do.
Child-centred care
Everything we do is grounded in improving outcomes and experience for children and young people presenting to emergency departments.
Collaboration
We bring together trainees, consultants, ACPs and allied health professionals from across Wessex to learn and improve together.
Excellence
We hold ourselves to high standards in training, research and service delivery — and we support our members to do the same.
Lifelong learning
We believe in continuous professional development at every career stage, from trainee to consultant.
Inclusivity
PREMIER is open to all clinicians with an interest in paediatric emergency medicine, regardless of grade, specialty or background.
Rooted in Wessex
We serve the communities of Wessex — and our work reflects the clinical needs, challenges and strengths of our region.
The Team
Each year, resident doctors and ACPs from the Wessex training programme form the team behind the annual PREMIER Conference. Trainees are given a unique opportunity to contribute to every stage of planning and delivering this national two‑day event — from programme design and speaker liaison to logistics, promotion, and on‑the‑day coordination.
It's an invaluable experience that builds leadership, creativity, and practical skills while shaping one of the UK's leading PEM education events.
Get Involved
Whether you're a trainee, consultant or allied health professional — there's a place for you in the PREMIER Network.