A state of the art interactive learning facility
promoting science, health, social care, and job opportunities in
the NHS has opened to schools and youth groups in Lambeth and
Southwark, following a successful pilot.
The three-year outreach project, Hands up for Health, received a
grant of £316,500 to improve health knowledge and access to
healthcare careers among 8-18 year olds through events hosted by
the Simulation and Interactive Learning (SaIL) Centre at St Thomas'
Hospital.
The programme addresses the fact that the number of 16-18 year
olds not in education, employment or training (NEETs) in the
boroughs is above national and London averages. The local area also
suffers poorer than the national average health.
The SaIL Centre opened in 2009 following funding of £1.1 million
from the Charity and additional funding from King's College London,
GSTFT and the London Deanery. It provides a safe environment in
which NHS staff and medical students can practise before facing
real-life scenarios. Facilities include a mock six-bedded hospital
ward, consultation room, and an operating theatre that can also be
used as an A&E triage area or intensive care unit.
Through Hands up for Health, local school pupils can also now
gain an insight into life on the wards, delivering care to
realistic patient manikins including basic life support and first
aid. The initiative has been well received by pupils engaged in the
pilot sessions from Lilian Baylis Technology School and Lambeth
Academy and from 2012 the Centre will also be engaging with other
schools and young groups from across the two boroughs.
"The Centre allows people to learn in an
environment that is completely safe for patients, and gets school
children directly involved in healthcare, encouraging them
to consider it as a career," says director of the Centre, Dr
Peter Jaye. "Crucially, it also encourages them to consider
the impact their life choices have on their own and
others' health."
The Charity's support for Hands up for Health reflects its
commitment towards early intervention and prevention of ill
health.
A formal evaluation of the impact of the Centre on patient
safety is being undertaken by King's Centre for Patient Safety and
Service Quality Research. Hands Up for Health is being monitored
through post-course questionnaires and video diaries while a formal
evaluation is also planned, which aims to include an assessment of
the children's perspective to their health and healthcare services
as well as their career aspirations.