A NEW clinical training facility has opened at the University of Reading.
A Clinical Simulation Training Suite on the University’s Whiteknights campus has been created to look exactly like a hospital.
Designed in partnership with the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust (RBFT), it faithfully recreates a Royal Berkshire Hospital (RBH) ward, enabling medical students and NHS staff to learn within a space that looks and feels just like the real thing.
Its four bed hospital ward, video link facilities, consultation spaces, and specialist equipment can also be used by RBFT employees, and healthcare colleagues in the wider community.
The suite is a joint collaboration between the University and RBFT, through the Health Innovation Partnership, and was made possible by a £2.63m grant from the Office for Students.
Newly installed equipment includes an anatomage table, which displays a three dimensional visualisation of a human body, and comes with virtual dissection tools for teaching anatomy and physiology.
Assembled from scans of a real body, its images enable students to explore all aspects of anatomy in as much detail as they require to support their learning.
Student Rakshitha Balasa said:“In lectures we learn theory, but the anatomage table is so much more interactive.
“We’ve been studying the knee recently, and it is so interesting to actually see the different muscles, and how they work.”
Student Ammara Javed agreed: “It’s so much better to work with, and more visual than text books and videos.”
Students Adam Cozens, Rabia Chaudhry, and Darch Patel were impressed by the simulated ward.
Mr Cozens said: “It is surprisingly realistic, and that will help us to make the transition from university to actual placements.
“And with this number of beds we can all practice and learn together,” added Ms Chaudhry.
Darsh Patel, said: “The ward has been created to help us experience what it’s like working inside RBH, and that will enable us to feel more confident.”
Professor Orla Kennedy, Strategic Partnership Director for Health at the University of Reading, said:
“The Clinical Simulation Training Suite will help address the urgent need for additional medical and healthcare training spaces in Berkshire, and help meet growing demand for the University’s Physician Associate and other allied health professional programmes.
“This specialist environment will help give our students an insight into what it’s like to work in a real hospital ward, helping to better prepare them for their future career in the healthcare sector.
“We are proud to have worked closely with the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust to deliver this new training facility.
“It is just one example of how we are working together to improve patient care and clinical excellence across the region.”
Dr Janet Lippett, Chief Medical Officer at Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, said:
“We’re really proud to have developed the new Clinical Simulation Training Suite in conjunction with the University of Reading.
“Not only will it benefit the next generation of healthcare staff, but it provides unparalleled opportunities for current clinicians to develop their skills and provide outstanding care to local patients.
“In addition to the Training Suite, our joint research projects and the department of excellence schemes with the University of Reading are helping us develop and innovate healthcare services and providing huge benefits to our community.”
Jill Ablett, consultant at Royal Berkshire Hospital and director of medical education, is delighted with the new facility.
“Our relationship with the university has really grown since the pandemic,” she said.
“We’re very lucky to have this environment, which will enable both our teams to train and work together.
“All the different professional groups will benefit, including specialist nurses, and doctors at different stages of their training.
“And students can learn how to manage medical situations within a safe environment, helping them to feel more confident with real patients in future.
“We will be able to teach, learn and train here, away from the pressurised environment of the hospital.”
Professor Becky Green, academic lead for the suite, said: “The facility has been created closely with RBH.
“We’re working together and learning from each other, and that’s really exciting.
“Our strong link with the hospital, and being able to use this simulated space really benefits our students.
“But there’s a lot of further potential here that we are slowly tapping into, so watch this space.”
For more information, visit: www.reading.ac.uk
