Inside our new £2.6m healthcare training facility

Students and NHS staff are benefitting from a new clinical training facility on our Whiteknights campus.

The Clinical Simulation Training Suite, in JJ Thomson building, is a recreation of a typical four-bed hospital ward found at the Royal Berkshire Hospital, providing users with vital learning experience in a simulated hospital environment.

The expansion of the existing facility was made possible by a £2.6m grant from the Office for Students. This work was led by our Estates team, and the Suite was designed in collaboration with the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust through our Health Innovation Partnership.

The Suite opened earlier in 2023, with an official opening event held in October and regional media given a look inside last week.

Specialist equipment

The funding enabled the investment of specialist equipment such as an anatomage table, which offers innovative 3D anatomy visualisation and virtual dissection tools for learners.

The Suite also features video link facilities and consultation spaces.

University students, Royal Berkshire employees and healthcare colleagues in the wider community are all benefitting from the opportunity to practice for clinical placements within a safe environment.

The Suite will enable more extensive inter-professional education, supporting the skills development of current healthcare professionals.

‘Addresses urgent need’

Professor Orla Kennedy, Strategic Partnership Director for Health at the University of Reading, said: “The Clinical Simulation Training Suite will help address the urgent need for additional medical and healthcare training spaces in Berkshire, and help meet growing demand for the University’s Physician Associate and other allied health professional programmes.

“This specialist environment will help give our students an insight into what it’s like to work in a real hospital ward, helping to better prepare them for their future career in the healthcare sector.

“We are proud to have worked closely with the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust to deliver this new training facility. It is just one example of how we are working together to improve patient care and clinical excellence across the region.”

Dr Janet Lippett, Chief Medical Officer at Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We’re really proud to have developed the new Clinical Simulation Training Suite in conjunction with the University of Reading.

“Not only will it benefit the next generation of healthcare staff, but it provides unparalleled opportunities for current clinicians to develop their skills and provide outstanding care to local patients.