We’re aiming to raise over £90,000 towards paediatric training manikins
Over 500 simulation training sessions are run every year at Southampton Children’s Hospital, using simulation manikins along with professional medical equipment, so they reflect real-life situations as closely as possible. Working with the closest thing to a real child in a clinical setting allows staff to improve clinical and teamwork skills beyond that which is possible in a classroom, in a fast paced environment where it is safe to make mistakes. These manikins are fundamental in preparing medical teams for high risk situations and significantly improve the quality of care. As the major trauma centre for the whole of central southern England, this level of clinical training is vital and ultimately helps save children’s lives.
Becky Joslin, Lead Clinical Facilitator for Simulation and the Clinical Skills Team at Southampton Children’s Hospital strive to deliver high quality training, but they face unnecessary challenges due to only having the limited NHS standard kit. The team have access to a 10kg baby simulator and adult male simulation manikin, but this means training is forced into two age ranges, excluding a large group of patients. There are no suitable manikin’s to simulate patient scenarios between 2 years and adolescence, or for a newborn baby.
Child Simulator Manikin
We aim to provide the hospital with child and newborn simulator manikins so they can provide world-class, comprehensive training across the full age spectrum. Gaumard’s Paediatric HAL® child manikin and Super TORY® neonatal manikin are the world’s most advanced patient simulators for paediatric care.
There are an unlimited range of simulations available so clinical staff can replicate any medical situation. They help clinical staff develop the skills they need to effectively communicate, diagnose and treat young patients in nearly all clinical areas under pressurised conditions. They are incredibly realistic and capable of simulating lifelike emotions through dynamic facial expressions, movement and speech. The realism allows candidates to fully immerse themselves emotionally in the simulation, which ultimately improves the patient experience and level of care they offer.
The manikin’s features are extensive, including reactive pupils; authentic lung, heart and bowel sounds; and the ability to blink, turn when spoken to and even talk back with prerecorded dialogue or the microphone. They will allow staff to practice a wide range of procedures including glucose testing from a real finger prick, tracheostomy and chest drain insertions, cannulation, and catheterisation. Dynamic lung compliance means that it can be intubated and monitored by a real ventilator.
Neonatal Simulator Manikin
They are mobile, wireless and fully functional during transport. This allows training to take place in numerous locations across the hospital which adds an extra layer of realism. The computer collects data from each simulation allowing the facilitator to provide in depth feedback for teams and individuals.
“The simulator manikin is an incredible piece of technology. When you walk into that bed space you feel like you’re in the room with a real child. Simulations do not replace the experience of caring for a real child, but they are absolutely the next best thing. These manikins will enable us to provide the very best care we possibly can for children.” Becky Joslin, Lead Clinical Facilitator for Simulation.
The Clinical Skills Team provide world-class training with limited resources. With your support, we can provide the most advanced child and newborn simulator manikins so they can deliver comprehensive training across the full age spectrum. These manikins will help save countless children’s lives every year.