NHS Trusts in Lancashire and South Cumbria are collaborating to develop a digital education network that will share learning environment approaches across organisations in education and practices, helping to improve digital learning across the region.
This collaboration of sharing digital resources developed as a direct result of the Targeted Practice Education Programme 4.4 objective, which aims to identify key stakeholders to develop a digital education network across Lancashire and South Cumbria, using a programme of online and face to face showcase and networking events, as well as an online space for shared access to resources, discussion, innovations and case studies, to illustrate best practice, new technology and innovative solutions.
As part of the collaborative work, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust recently joined forces to create an innovative and sustainable way to deliver key clinical skills through 3D printing technology, which will enhance the training and education of healthcare professionals. By simulating real-life scenarios, students and practitioners can practice critical clinical skills in a safe and controlled environment, ultimately improving patient care and outcomes.
‘Project Glycerine Suppository’ was developed by a request from Helen Punshon, Simulation and Clinical Assessment Lead at East Lancashire Teaching Hospitals, after she was looking for a way to provide staff with a safe and realistic way to learn how to administer suppositories.
XinLin Chen, XR Content Developer with the Blended Learning team at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals, said: “Myself and the Blended Learning team developed the 3D printing of suppositories for East Lancashire Hospitals, modelling a two-part, 3D printed mould that contained five life-size suppositories and used PLA (polylactic acid) and 3D printing material to print them out via the Ultimaker 3D Printer. Smooth-On's Dragon Skin Silicone material was used to create the final product, which also has the Lancashire Teaching Hospitals embedded logo to be distinguished from the real medicine.”
Wayne Troake, Blended Learning Manager at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals, added: “Using 3D printing for this project has meant that the team has been able to quickly prototype the moulds needed for potential small-scale manufacture. Having the skills within the team to innovate is amazing and it’s great to be able to support our colleagues not only in our Trust but in other organisations. Projects like this using low-cost technology have real potential to reduce development time and costs. I’m incredibly proud of what the team has been able to accomplish so quickly!”
The project is a great example of collaboration between NHS trusts and demonstrates the innovative work that is being done to improve patient care.
Kirsty Stephenson, Placement Expansion and Digital Lead at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals, said: “It has been a great pleasure to facilitate a joined-up service across the Integrated Care Board, enabling the delivery of digital simulation practice.”
Helen Punshon, Simulation and Clinical Assessment Lead at East Lancashire Teaching Hospitals, added: “This project has been a really great example of how two Trusts can work collaboratively to help each other and as a result we’ve been able to improve the way we deliver training to our colleagues, which in turn provides enhanced care for our patients. I look forward to doing more of this in the future.”
Future collaboration will bring in other Trusts across the Lancashire and South Cumbria Provider Collaborative, and identify key stakeholders, develop a programme of online and face-to-face events, and create an online space for shared resources. The intended outcomes are to identify advocates, create an initial network and deliver events and learning activities. The collaboration is a significant step towards improving digital learning in the region and will provide a platform for sharing resources and best practises across the region.
