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Improving mental health training through simulation
We've funded the creation of a product to support simulation training for mental health professionals, giving them the skills to provide high quality care.
People learn most effectively when training is interactive, immersive and replicates real life. In healthcare this has traditionally been offered through clinical placements that are supervised and assessed by experienced teachers. It’s a good idea to practice what to do when things go wrong, but how do we do this in a safe environment without increasing risk for patients? This is where simulation comes in.
In education, simulation replicates a real-life scenario, but in a safe and controlled way. Simulation has been used in medicine and surgery for years and now mental health practitioners are adopting simulation as a common teaching method.
Maudsley simulation
HEE has commissioned and supported the development of the first dedicated clinical simulation facility for mental health – Maudsley Simulation.
Based at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM), Maudsley Simulation offers a wide variety of courses both in-house and across the country. Maudsley is helping us enhance training for those working in perinatal mental health.
HEE also supports other clinical simulation centres around the country, which offer a variety of courses, including some focused on mental health:
Recognising and assessing medical problems in psychiatric settings
Developed by HEE in Yorkshire and the Humber, Recognising and assessing medical problems in psychiatric settings (RAMPPS) supports parity of esteem. The course focuses on recognising and assessing medical problems in psychiatric settings. It equips mental healthcare staff with the skills needed to recognise that someone in their care is becoming poorly and to work as a team to take immediate action.