High-tech health labs to boost training of nurses, midwives and allied health professionals
London South Bank University has opened a state-of-the-art immersive suite of health labs, which will allow more nurses, midwives and allied health students to train in non-hospital facilities.
Opened on 18 June by Chief Nursing Officer for England, Duncan Burton, the £5.8 million Centre for Health, Injury and Performance simulates hospital wards and critical care environments to replicate real life clinical scenarios.
The centre features remotely controlled mannequins and skills labs to develop technical skills such as venepuncture, cannulation and catheterisation. Meanwhile, audio-visual facilities with live streaming from the simulation suites, help students to review videos of their simulation sessions, reflect on these, receive feedback from academics and peers, and enhance their learning.
LSBU, which already trains one-fifth of London’s nurses, secured funding from the Office for Students to upgrade, reconfigure and expand its suite of 23 cutting-edge health labs.
The University made the application following the Nursing and Midwifery Council announcement in 2023 to increase the number of hours that pre-registration nursing and midwifery students can spend in university skill labs and simulation suites.
Ahead of this summer’s expected publication of the NHS workforce plan, the facilities will create extra teaching capacity allowing LSBU to train more nurses, midwives and allied health professionals to fill key vacancies in the NHS and expand the health care workforce.
The opening of the Centre, which is located inside LSBU’s K2 building on the University’s Southwark Campus, involved guided tours, equipment demonstrations and the Chief Nursing Officer’s unveiling of a commemorative plaque.
Professor Tara Dean, Interim Co Vice-Chancellor, London South Bank University, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Duncan, England’s Chief Nursing Officer today, as we launch these state-of-the-art health facilities. They will not only transform our students’ training, but in the longer-term help serve our collective need to train more nurses, and other healthcare professionals.
“Our facilities can actively reduce the pressure on hospitals and make careers in healthcare accessible to more people. We look forward to welcoming more nursing, midwifery and allied health students to LSBU, continuing our proud tradition of healthcare training.”
Duncan Burton, Chief Nursing Officer for England, said: “It was an honour to open London South Bank University’s new Centre for Health, Injury and Performance and great to see the new facilities available to student nurses, midwives and allied health professionals.
“I was excited to learn how the next generation of our professions will benefit from the innovative technology on offer, and it was clear to see how it will enhance their learning experience.
“I also had the chance to meet with some students and hear about their experiences. Our nursing and midwifery professions offer such diverse and rewarding careers, and the chance to make a difference to people’s lives every day. I was so impressed with the enthusiasm and drive demonstrated by the students and educators I met today.”