Secondary Care

GOSH launches virtual learning academy

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children has launched a new ‘Virtual Learning Environment’ for its clinical and non-clinical staff.

Forming part of the trust’s Digital Education Network (DEN), the platform provides staff with tools to develop their skills and opportunities to develop themselves for the future.

The trust said the programme is part of its “five year strategy to go above and beyond”, with one of their priorities being to expand the use of technology-enhanced learning.

Its new learning environment, built using software from Blackboard INC, includes webinars, e-learning packages, blended courses, podcasts, and more. Topics range from legal education, play in hospital, Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health content, and other courses.

Amy Leanord, Head of Education for Digital Learning, commented: “I had two key aims: to recruit a highly skilled digital learning team and to launch a contemporary learning environment that offers inclusive and accessible education to all. I am over the moon to have achieved both of those aims, and I can’t wait for the trust (and beyond) to access The Den.”

Thania Rashid, Senior Business Support Officer, added: “One of the best features about GOSH Den is our ability to interact with others. By using the discussion boards, messaging and classroom functions, we can learn from each other and feel like one community.”

The trust has also recently partnered with The Royal Marsden to start a programme to share its Epic electronic patient record.

Following recent business case approval from its Board, The Royal Marsden will partner with Great Ormond Street Hospital and begin the roll-out of Epic this month, with an expected go-live date of March 2023.

The two trusts will partner to share expertise and experience, following the launch of the system at GOSH two years ago. The Royal Marsden said: “The partnership with GOSH will bring substantial benefits to both trusts. For The Royal Marsden, it will give us the opportunity to harness the digital excellence, technologies and learning that GOSH have achieved through their clinically led implementation of a Digital Health Record (DHR) in 2019.“For GOSH, working in partnership with us on all future developments to the system means they will be able to do more, at a faster rate and reduced cost, and by sharing skills and expertise across organisations we will both maximise the benefits of the DHR for staff and patients.”