Neonatal manikins for SCBU to provide more realistic training options for staff

Pictured: Staff with the manikins.

Hywel Dda Health Charities, the official charity of Hywel Dda University Health Board, has funded a set of neonatal training manikins worth over £5,000. These manikins will be used to provide hands-on training to all neonatal staff.

The manikins – which will include both full-term and preterm models – will support staff training programmes such as newborn life support, airway assessment and ward-based simulation, among others.

“Realistic manikins are essential for effective neonatal training,” said Catrin Jones, Neonatal Practice and Professional Development Nurse for the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) at Glangwili Hospital. “These new manikins will enhance the realism and effectiveness of simulation-based education, improve staff confidence and competence in neonatal resuscitation and airway management, support multidisciplinary team training, improve communication and teamwork and ensure compliance with national training standards and guidelines.”

She added: “This investment will benefit the babies and families we care for by helping ensure that staff are well prepared to respond to emergencies and deliver the highest standard of care. The manikins will be a shared resource, used across multiple training programmes and departments, maximising their impact and value.”

Nicola Llewelyn, Head of Hywel Dda Health Charities, the official charity of Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: “The support of our local communities enables us to provide services over and above what the NHS can provide in the three counties of Hywel Dda and we are extremely grateful for every donation we receive.”