Charity funds cutting-edge manikin for staff training
International Day of Education, which takes place on 24th January provides a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase how our charity supports education across the five UHDB hospital sites, including the funding of a state-of-the-art simulation training manikin at Queen’s Hospital in Burton.
A leap in training technology
The SimMan simulation manikin is a sophisticated piece of equipment that replicates medical emergencies and conditions, enabling healthcare professionals to enhance their skills and knowledge through realistic practice. Originating from the principles of flight simulation, the manikin is operated from a control room, where clinical educators can program a variety of scenarios for trainees to address.
Resuscitation & Clinical Skills Manager, David Jones, along with clinical training colleagues Caroline Cocking and Jenny Pepper, demonstrated the capabilities of a similar manikin housed at The Royal Derby Hospital. The session showcased the SimMan’s potential to simulate critical medical situations, providing invaluable hands-on experience for multi-professional healthcare teams, including medical staff and students alike.
Learning through simulation
A vital aspect of training with the SimMan is the ability to review and learn from each session. A camera system captures the trainees’ actions, allowing for detailed playback and focused analysis. Following the simulations, educators facilitate a focused debrief with the candidates to evaluate and explore:
- Recognition of the patient’s condition.
- Effectiveness of treatment and escalation measures.
- Human factors such as leadership, teamwork, and communication.
SimMan has many parameters and functions to replicate the signs and symptoms of an acutely unwell patient which are controlled remotely (see above).
Speaking about the impact this equipment has, David said, “Manikins like this enable medical students and staff to practice in a safe environment.” Jenny Pepper added, “Everyone in the Trust can benefit from the manikin,” highlighting its versatility for training across various hospital departments, for example the renal unit, which uses the SimMan for dialysis scenarios.
Charity’s role in supporting education
Our charity is proud to play a key role in supporting initiatives like the SimMan. It is only with donations and support from our fundraisers, that we can fund projects like this and other educational efforts, including:
- Funding British Sign Language training to enhance communication with patients from the vast local deaf community.
- Sponsoring staff to attend conferences led by experts, ensuring access to the latest knowledge and clinical practices.
- Supporting the purchase of equipment that elevates the quality of healthcare education and patient care.
- Educating children in schools on working in both the healthcare and charity sectors.
How you can support our charity
If you’d like to support us, there are many ways to get involved:
- Make a donation to any ward, unit or area.
- Participate in our weekly lottery.
- Join one of our events.
- Visit our Get Involved page for more ideas.
Every contribution helps us fund initiatives that make a tangible difference to patients and staff in our hospitals.
