A new specialist training doll is helping nurses and doctors at Basildon Hospital practise vital airway procedures and provide better care.
Mid and South Essex Hospitals Charity provided more than £3,000 to buy the mini mannikin, known as a Newborn Anne airway training simulator, for the hospital’s Neonatal unit.
It’s already become a valuable part of staff education, allowing teams to practise important skills in a safe and realistic environment, helping them build confidence and experience.
Emma Atkinson, Neonatal Practice Development Nurse, said: “Having a newborn training manikin on our unit is such a brilliant resource and makes it much easier to complete airway assessments regularly and consistently. It gives nurses and doctors the opportunity to practise and demonstrate their airway skills in a safe and supportive environment.”
The simulator is designed specifically for newborn airway training. Staff can use it to practise procedures such as inserting a laryngeal mask airway – a device used to keep a patient’s airway open – and inserting a tube into their throat to help them breathe or give medication.
To make training as realistic as possible, the model has inflatable lungs and can be fitted with a mock umbilical cord and filled with simulated blood-like fluid, meaning teams can rehearse a wide range of clinical scenarios.
While the Neonatal unit already has access to more advanced simulation equipment, this Newborn Anne model is ideal for regular day-to-day training, so staff can practise more often and keep their skills up to date.
The training doll also helps teams develop key non-clinical skills including communication, leadership, teamwork and decision-making.
Clair Grayston, Head of Fundraising for Mid and South Essex Hospitals Charity, said: “We are delighted to have funded this important training resource through the generosity of our community. Investing in staff training benefits babies and families receiving care and helps to ensure neonatal teams have the confidence, skills and experience needed when it matters most.”
