CQUniversity's first intake of Paramedic Science students took their knowledge to the stands in a mock trial at Rockhampton's Old Supreme Court last week.

The simulated coroner's court case enabled students to learn some of the legal and ethical issues that paramedics face on the job.

Paramedic Science students Lauren Newman (front) and Prue Farquhar (back) learn about the legal side of being a paramedic at the Old Supreme Court in Rockhampton.Program leader Anthony Weber said the novel teaching technique was well received by the first-year university students who are enrolled in the Foundations of Paramedic Science course.

"We wanted the students to experience a court case where paramedics could be called on to provide evidence," Mr Weber said.

"We set up a trial-like setting with expert guidance from Wayne Jones from the University's School of Commerce and Law, who played the part of the prosecutor while I played the part of the expert witness.

"The students enjoyed sitting on the jury, identifying some of the potential pitfalls that can occur in paramedicine."

Mr Webber, a paramedic with over 20 years' experience, has given evidence in court on a number of occasions and was able to demonstrate to the students how to give evidence professionally, some of the issues involved in not keeping proper records and the reasons that the students need to be able to recite with some clarity the processes and procedures they use at the scene of any incident. 

Mr Jones said the mock coronial inquest looked into the death of ‘Wendy' (a truck driver at Southern Cross mine at Biloela) and her partner's adamant claim that someone must pay for his loss.

"This really was an exercise where we demonstrated the need to keep good records, follow procedures and be prepared to give evidence sometimes years after an event," explained Mr Jones.

He also said it was the first time the Old Supreme Court has been used for educational activities by the University since the building became Barristers Chambers for the local Bar.

"We are indebted to our local barristers who have generously allowed the University to use the old courtroom."

CQUniversity's Bachelor of Paramedic Science program has proved extremely popular in its first year, with 86 enrolments to date exceeding all expectations.

Paramedic Science lecturers Anthony Weber and Darryl Holley sit on the jury alongside their students."I thought it would be popular and had envisaged about 70 enrolments at the most, but we will now have 86 enrolments after the current mid-year intake. It's a great result," said Mr Weber. 

He said most of the students came from regional, remote or rural locations across Central Queensland, but there were also students from Northern and Far Northern Queensland as well as Toowoomba, New South Wales, South Australia and Western Australia.

"Many have decided to study the program via distance education and will complete the hands-on aspects of the course during scheduled residential schools throughout the year."