A new state-of-the-art Simulation and Training Centre has opened at Queen Margaret Hospital in Dunfermline to enable clinical staff to enhance their skills and practice real-time scenarios in a controlled environment.
Simulation is a key element of the training programme for nursing, medical and allied health professionals. The new Simulation and Training Centre at Queen Margaret Hospital, which was funded by the Fife Health Charity at a cost of more than £200k, is enabling healthcare professionals to simulate and practice realistic scenarios and hone new clinical skills.
Within the Centre is a ward area with four beds in which to practice a range of scenarios that may occur in the real clinical environment. The latest cutting-edge technology is also being utilised, with highly realistic patient mannequins able to simulate real patients and allow participants to practice common techniques like nasogastric tube insertion, urinary catheterisation, or venepuncture. In addition to being able to talk, cry, breathe, blink and accurately mimic a large range of medical conditions, the mannequins can also record a considerable amount of data with which to assess the effectiveness of any treatments performed.
A key feature of the new Centre is the ability to record the training sessions in real-time. Each bed area within the Centre is kitted out with a series of high-quality cameras and microphones to allow sessions to be captured and played back to participants as part of a debrief in the Centre’s lecture area.
A huge range of real-life scenarios can now be practiced using the Simulation and Training Centre across a range of specialities from primary and acute hospital care, as well as mental health and maternity services. As part of the ongoing response to COVID-19, the Centre will also assist in teaching a range of infection control scenarios, helping improve safety for healthcare staff and those in their care.
Dr Martin Clark is a Consultant Anaesthetist and is Clinical Lead for the new Centre. Dr Clark said:
“When we sought funding for a new Simulation and Training Centre at Queen Margaret, our intention was to create a centre which would rival any other training facility in the country – I think we have certainly achieved that.
“Simulation really helps us to bridge the gap between classroom learning and performing procedures on real patients, and allows clinicians to improve their skills and build their competency in a safe and controlled environment.
“Patient safety is at the heart of everything we do and the new Centre also allows healthcare staff to participate in the type of critical events that they will face in everyday practice, which is hugely beneficial in helping us to provide the very best and most effective care for patients.”
NHS Fife has garnered an excellent reputation for the quality of its undergraduate clinical training over many years. A further benefit of the new Simulation and Training Centre is the opportunity to assist in the professional development of medical students, nurses and allied health professionals, from the very earliest stages of training right through to demonstrating the competencies necessary for final registration. Students can also have the opportunity to simulate scenarios alongside experienced clinicians, to aid their development and improve their confidence in practice.
Rona Laing is a Trustee of the Fife Health Charity, which funded the new Centre. Rona Laing said:
“The opening of the new Simulation and Training Centre at Queen Margaret Hospital is another fantastic example of how the Fife Health Charity is helping to benefit both healthcare staff and patients in the Kingdom.
“This new state-of-the-art Centre really demonstrates the commitment to training and development in NHS Fife and will not only help develop and enhance the skills of existing clinicians, but it will also provide help improve the quality of training we can provide to our student doctors, nurses and allied health professionals.
“The facility is a match for training centres anywhere in the country and was made possible by the kind and generous donations made to the Fife Health Charity.”
To find out more about the work of the Fife Health Charity, and the range of initiatives it is helping to fund, visit: www.nhsfife.org/fifehealthcharity/.
