News, NHS trust

Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust launches immersive simulation suite

Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust has launched an immersive simulation suite designed to support training for multi-disciplinary staff in the development of a range of clinical and non-clinical skills, with technology utilised to “create lifelike visual surroundings, sounds and smells”.

The suite includes a high fidelity manikin capable of simulating convulsions and cameras throughout the suite which enable training exercises to be livestreamed to a nearby ‘immersive studio’; here, more learners can observe activities on multiple screens in a soundproofed environment.

Medical education service lead Sian Shingler comments that immersive simulation “will be a really powerful tool for MPFT going forward, not just for the huge scope of learning and development possibilities it can provide our staff, but also the opportunities for innovation it will provide”.

Simulation: the wider trend

HTN previously explored a simulation-based education and training strategy from Improvement Wales and Health Education, focusing on how current and future workforce skills can be enhanced using simulation-based technologies.

We also interviewed HART paramedic Steven Thompson about his work co-developing and testing a virtual reality simulation for mass casualty triage.

This summer, we hosted a virtual discussion panel on innovation in primary care which saw project manager for South Yorkshire Primary Care Workforce & Training Hub Liz Leggott discuss how her team  identified a gap between people’s training experiences and the real world we were sending them into, and used tech to help bridge that”.

Also from MPFT

Another panel discussion earlier in the year saw HTN joined by Martyn Perry, acting chief digital information officer at MPFT, along with NHS Digital Academy deputy director James Freed. Martyn discussed his work supporting the workforce in developing digital skills and confidence, the importance of tracking training outcomes, securing staff buy-in around digital and more.

And we highlighted how MPFT is using tech to pilot new falls prevention methods with the aim of enhancing its offer to patients and minimising the impact of falls on health, quality of life, and the NHS’s finances.

Looking to the wider region, you can find our exploration of digital health and data across the Midlands ICS region here.