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Elsevier acquires virtual simulation training platform 

Elsevier has acquired Shadow Health, a Florida-based developer of virtual simulations in nursing and healthcare education.

The solutions help to train and prepare nurses and healthcare practitioners for clinical settings by using simulations. It enable learners to practice and apply their clinical reasoning skills through life-like interactions with a diverse range of virtual patients.

David Massias, Co-founder and CEO, Shadow Health, said: “The global pandemic has brought the need for virtual simulations in nursing and healthcare education into sharp focus. What is clear is that when we invest in better training for nurses, we’ll see better outcomes for patients. Shadow Health’s Digital Clinical Experiences allow learners to develop their clinical judgment and communication skills by interviewing, examining, and treating virtual patients.”

Wifi Spark offers free of charge access to media services over Christmas

Wifi Spark is offering a tailored entertainment package to trusts that use its WiFi services, for free over Christmas.

Ian Spark, head of healthcare at WiFi Spark, said: “We know that being in hospital over Christmas will be a tough time for many patients, so we want to do something that will help keep them entertained and able to access information that might be useful to them even after they are discharged.”

“This Christmas is going to be particularly difficult for anyone in hospital because of a lack of visitors due to Covid-19 restrictions, so we hope that keeping people occupied in a positive way will help, and of course, they will also be able to use our WiFi to contact family and friends, so that might make things a little easier.”

DeepMind opens four new scholarships at Oxford University

DeepMind, the artificial intelligence company, has created four DeepMind graduate scholarships for students wishing to pursue a master’s degree in Computer Science at Oxford University.

Professor Michael Wooldridge, Head of the Department of Computer Science, said: “We seek to deliver the best possible education to the best students, irrespective of their origin or background. This continuing support from DeepMind is a tremendous boost for us in this mission.”

Advanced surgical robot performs its 1000th procedure at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals

Lancashire’s most advanced surgical robotic system has performed its 1000th procedure in its third year in place at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals.

Dan Hill, Chief Officer at Rosemere Cancer Foundation, said: “We are so proud to have helped fund this incredible, cutting-edge piece of equipment and without our fantastic supporters, this simply wouldn’t have been possible. We are ahead of the curve in being able to provide surgery to groups of patients who would not otherwise have been suitable for this type of surgery, with significant reductions in patient recovery times and complications, reduced blood loss and shorter inpatient stays. This helps us to increase capacity and attract the best surgeons out there to our hospitals – as well as helping us to retain the outstanding talent we already have!”

“The robot was only the 3rd in existence in the UK when we were lucky enough to receive it, and it was the first in the North of England. As the Cancer Centre for the region, we have made some life-changing progress using this robot and we hope this continues long into the future.”