New Health and Wellbeing Academy launched to support nursing education

Together, we have launched a Health and Wellbeing Academy that will enable us to build on our strong partnership work to support greater collaboration across Kent and Medway in education, training, innovation and research.

The new initiative will deliver opportunities for clinical education, simulation training, joint curriculum design and research to support the continued development of the region's future health care workforce and respond to the health and wellbeing challenges and needs of Kent and Medway's communities.

One area of the Academy will see our staff support the training of students within the University's simulation suites, sharing our real-life experience and clinical skills. The simulation suites allow students to learn from clinical experts within a safe environment, offering them hands-on real-life scenarios to build their skills and confidence before entering the hospital environment. Similarly, it will provide opportunities for our staff to adapt and think about adding value and bringing our work into the learning environment to support the students.

Some impactful actions have already been taken, including appointing several joint posts and bringing together skilled healthcare educators and professionals. Andy Cruickshank, our Chief Nurse, has been appointed as Visiting Professor at Canterbury Christ Church University to support the continued development of the partnership.

Professor Cruickshank shares his excitement about the partnership with Canterbury Christ Church University and its positive effects on students. He said: "My colleagues and I believe that by creating a simulated environment, we help students build their skills and make decisions safely. This approach replicates real clinical situations, which improves patient care, encourages teamwork, and raises professional skills to new levels."

Andy met with several students in the simulation suite, where they engaged in a scenario involving a person experiencing a mental health crisis at home. This scenario was based on real-life experiences from clinical practice. One of the advantages of using simulation is that it allows students to apply various techniques, with the ability to start and stop the exercise as needed.

Many students report feeling more prepared to make safe decisions and provide quality patient care during their placements when they encounter real-life situations.

Professor Jane Perry, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Dean for the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Social Care, said: "We're excited to launch the new Academy for Health and Wellbeing, building on our successful partnership with KMPT. This initiative reflects our commitment to providing our students with a high-quality teaching and learning experience. Our KMPT colleagues will contribute their real-world expertise to our nurse simulation training, helping to develop skilled healthcare professionals and support research that will benefit our region for years."

The Academy of Health and Wellbeing was launched on International Nurses Day, celebrating the incredible skill, dedication and impact of nursing. It was recognised by signing a Memorandum of Understanding between the two organisations.