Simulation dummies help with training of hospital theatre staff

Delighted staff at the North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust have revealed how they carried out a simulation exercise.

Theatre staff took part in the first ever simulation exercise carried out in main theatres at the University Hospital of North Tees.

The theatre was set up with one of the simulation dummies and the staff were given an emergency scenario.

The task asked them to work together as if it were a real procedure.

Meanwhile the rest of the team were watching it all from a live feed in a nearby room.

They were asked to analyse and reflect on things that went well as well as on the things that needed improving.

Theatre matron Joanne Urwin said: “It is a great experience for the staff to learn from simulation exercises such as this, as it allows them to learn from incidents involving human factors and discuss how things could be done differently.

”We have a lot of new staff working in theatres so exercise like this really improve staffs overall knowledge and skills and the team become closer and learn from one another.

“The team worked closely with consultant anaesthetist Austin Matthews and theatre nurse Julia Calvert to organise this training and I would like to thank everyone involved.”