Eluned Morgan, the Welsh Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, has visited the sector-leading medical education facilities at the University of South Wales (USW).
On a tour of USW’s state-of-the-art clinical simulation centre, which is on the University’s Glyntaff Campus, the Health Secretary was able to see for herself the facility which is set up to replicate an acute care NHS environment.
Ms Morgan was welcomed to the campus by USW Vice-Chancellor Dr Ben Calvert, and was accompanied on the tour by Dr James Gravelle, who is the Dean of USW’s Faculty of Life Sciences and Education; Dr Ian Mathieson, who is the Faculty’s Associate Dean – Partnerships and Business Development (Health and Social Care); and Bob Hudson, who is Visiting Professor within the Faculty and Co Director of the Leading Digital Transformation, Intensive Learning Academy at USW.
During the visit the Health Secretary was shown the various training facilities, including the wards and emergency departments, and was given a showcase USW’s healthcare provision, including pre- and post-registration nursing, social care, placements, the student support infrastructure, the work of USW’s Intensive Learning Academy, the Hydra Simulation suite, and the work that goes on at the Welsh Institute for Health and Social Care (WIHSC).
The centre provides training for a wide range of healthcare professionals such as anaesthetists, junior doctors, medical students, nurse practitioners, ODPs, paramedics, paediatricians, specialist nurse organ donation donor teams, and the Territorial Army Medical Service.
During the visit the Health Secretary was also able to speak to some USW students about the education and support they receive from the experienced colleagues who work at the University, many of whom have spent many years working in frontline healthcare roles.
After the visit, Dr Calvert said: “We were delighted to welcome the Health Secretary to the University and the clinical simulation suite, which provides cutting edge facilities for educating the next generation of healthcare professionals.
“We know that the realistic clinical facilities that the sim centre provides to our students is second to none, and gives them the hands-on experience that is needed by people who are going to be caring for many who are the most vulnerable in our society.
“We hope that Ms Morgan was impressed with the facility, and how the education and healthcare sectors collaborate to develop a world-leading workforce.”
Eluned Morgan, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, said: “It was a privilege to meet students at the University of South Wales and see them making great use of the new state-of-the-art clinical simulation suite at the Sim Centre.
“These fantastic new facilities will help train and develop our future healthcare workforce in Wales, and importantly, improve patient experience.”
