PG117 All change: the journey of adjusting to the impact of COVID-19 in a university’s new simulation centre

BackgroundCOVID-19 brought uncertainty to the delivery of simulation based education and the use of simulation facilities worldwide. The Clinical Skills and Simulation Centre at Edge Hill University, which only opened during autumn 2019, is a new Centre for the Faculty of Health, Social Care and Medicine. With the onset of COVID-19 appropriate measures, guidance and risk assessments had to be put in place to ensure the safety of staff and students, but with the aim of keeping the centre open for those that needed it.Summary of WorkAs a result of the COVID-19 pandemic clinical skills teaching was delivered to help staff returning or being relocated to different areas in the NHS. This began in April 2020 and very quickly this developed into offering the staff simulation sessions. The centre then reopened for the faculty’s students particularly those who had begun university in January and had been unable to attend any placements. This resulted in 150 student nurses attending in June with other ODP, paramedic and physician associate students attending over the summer for skills, simulation or OSCEs.Summary of ResultsEvaluations showing the impact in terms of student engagement and achieving the required outcomes from the sessions held during COVID-19 for nursing and other students will be presented. In addition an overview of measures taken and the lessons learnt will be provided.Discussion and ConclusionsThe results have shown the importance of students being able to still attend simulation and skills sessions during the pandemic. At the same time it has been necessary to readjust the risk assessments to ensure the continual safety of staff and students.Traditionally there is a tendency to work in silos as a university in terms of skills and simulation but one of the positives resulting from the pandemic has been the opportunity to have regular meetings with other universities in the North West. This has enabled the sharing of ideas and concerns ensuring that we are taking similar approaches.RecommendationsThe use of simulation based education can be adapted to varying situations, but there needs to be continual review to ensure that it is being used in the most appropriate way and that alternative measures have been explored.ReferenceIngrassia, PL; Capogna, G; Diaz-Navarro, C; Szyid, D; Tomola, S & Leon-Castelao, E. ( 2020) COVID-19crisis, safe reopening of simulation centres and the new normal: food for thought. Advances in Simulation 5:13.