Children’s hospice introduces paediatric simulator for staff training

Children’s hospice Chestnut Tree House has started training staff using a state-of-the-art paediatric simulator called SimJunior.

The Sussex-based hospice is aiming to enhance the skills of staff with the simulator, making sure they are up to date with the latest developments and are building on their clinical skills. It is the first time the hospice deploys interactive equipment for training purposes.

Innovative paediatric training

SimJunior was designed by medical training company Laerdal and the American Academy of Pediatrics to help train staff to handle paediatric emergencies. As well as imitating real movements like chest rises, it has pre-recorded sounds and a measurable pulse.

Anna Jones, Clinical Manager, explains further how it works: “SimJunior is a really exciting development for Chestnut Tree House. The full-body simulator represents a six-year-old boy and simulates a wide range of conditions from a healthy, talking child to an unresponsive, critical patient with deteriorating vital signs. It will allow us to gain practical experience and advance our clinical skills on the cardiovascular, neurological, and respiratory systems through utilising simple clinical skills training as well as high fidelity scenario training.”

“Being able to offer the best possible care and support to families is why we do what we do, and this simulator will certainly help us to be able to do that – allowing us to advance our skills and meet the changing care needs of children and young people.”

Collaborative working

As well as using the simulator for training in-house, the hospice aims to work collaboratively with other health care providers to help them meet the needs of children’s palliative care in the community.

“We are keen to offer simulation training to local hospices and hospitals in order to encourage shared learning across the region” Melissa Hancorn, Clinical Manager says. “By delivering high fidelity training together, we can advance our skills in a safe environment so that we ensure children and young people can receive the best quality of care possible.”