Welcome to Northwest Simulation NHS Network

This site is envisaged as a resource & a forum for multidisciplinary medical & allied health professionals and educationalists with an active interest in simulation education in the North West of England. This encompasses the spectrum from undergraduate to post graduate, both the deaneries, all the healthcare trusts, the higher educational institutes and the strategic health authority. The aspiration is for ourselves to shape & evolve an educationally rich simulation network across the region, inclusive to all members of the healthcare simulation community. Through the network, a simulation delivery strategy that is based on our best practice & educational governance, supported by educational commissioners and wanted by healthcare organisations can be developed by ourselves, the north west simulation community.

In terms of a resource, this site can be utilised in many ways, including:
1. to reflect the simulation activity proceeding in the region,
2. be a directory of contacts,
3. be a noticeboard of simulation courses, events & meetings,
4. to facilitate requests for faculty, technical experience & collaborations in research & development
5. to coalesce individuals into groups across the region to develop simulation in their own directions, whilst continuing to cross pollinate and learn from the experience of others.

The forum section of the site facilitates further the development of a simulation education alliance where we can debate, discuss and begin to shape the network. Individuals can post their own topics for discussion and we can debate specific topics or review thoughts on the general themes including those of increasing simulation capacity, availability, quality assurance, funding and others as discussed at quarterly meetings where we can all meet.

The first quarterly meeting held in March at the Village Hotel Warrington was attended by 55 active participants. Discussion points and themes from these meetings wil be posted on the forum and on the latest news part of the site.

Ralph MacKinnon
North West Simulation Strategy Facilitator