On Friday 12 July, 2024, New Life Special Care Babies proudly announced the funding of a second Premmie Anne manikin for the Neonatal Department of the North Bristol NHS Trust. This new addition, known as the ‘Premmie Anne’, is set to significantly enhance the department’s ability to provide critical training and care for premature and critically ill newborns.
Nearly a decade ago, New Life Special Care Babies provided funding for the first Premmie Anne manikin for Bristol’s Neonatal Department. Since then, this invaluable tool has been utilized in numerous training sessions and simulations, greatly contributing to the development of neonatal care skills. However, after 8-9 years of rigorous use, the first manikin is now in need of repairs and has been limited to functioning as a low-fidelity task trainer.
The support for the new Premmie Anne manikin will enable the Bristol Neonatal Department to continue delivering high-quality training across several essential areas. These include point-of-care simulation and MDT training, deanery courses, and departmental teaching.
Point-of-care simulation and MDT training are conducted in the NICU, CDS, and antenatal wards, providing medical staff with the opportunity to practice and refine their skills in real-world settings. These sessions are essential in preparing doctors and nurses to handle critical situations and make informed decisions in a high-pressure environment.
Deanery courses, such as the Neonatal Step-Up to Registrar course and the Practical Procedures course, benefit doctors in training throughout the Severn deanery. With the new manikin, they will have the opportunity to practice intubation skills, manage difficult airways, and make critical clinical decisions in a safe, simulated environment before taking on senior roles.
Furthermore, the Bristol Neonatal Department also conducts departmental teaching sessions, where senior trainees use the Premmie Anne to learn about the practicalities of withdrawal of intensive care. This training is crucial in managing the transition of preterm babies from ventilators and incubators to parental care. The session, held every six months, consistently receives positive feedback, and plans are underway to expand it into a regional course.
The primary beneficiaries of these enhanced training programs are, undoubtedly, the babies under the care of the Bristol Neonatal Department. By allowing doctors and nurses to practice their skills, make informed decisions, and work effectively as a team in a simulated environment, they are better prepared for real-life situations.
Dr Madhavi Parvathareddy, Associate Specialist Neonatologist, expressed her appreciation for the new manikin, stating, “The direct benefits for the babies we care for is that doctors and nurses have had the opportunity to practice skills, decision making and team working in a safe simulated environment. We are in the process of setting up a regular MDT sim program with our maternity sim team as per the Ockenden report recommendations and we hope to launch it later this year.”
Trevor Goodall, Founder and CEO of New Life, also shared his gratitude to the supporters whose generosity made this acquisition possible. He stated, “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our supporters whose generosity made this acquisition possible. Their contributions continue to make a profound impact on neonatal services across the UK as well as the lives of the babies and families served by the Bristol Neonatal Department.”
The new Premmie Anne manikin not only serves as an advanced training tool but also symbolizes the shared dedication of New Life and the Bristol Neonatal Department in providing the highest standard of care and education. The department is excited about the future opportunities this manikin will bring and looks forward to sharing updates and photos from their training sessions.
This news story was distributed by https://pressat.co.uk/.
