Innovative Simulation Lab sessions enhancing education for spinal cord injury patients

Patients receiving care on the Midland Centre for Spinal Injuries (MCSI) at Shropshire’s specialist orthopaedic hospital are now benefitting from innovative educational sessions delivered in the Trust’s Simulation Lab.

The sessions, led by Goal Planning and Education Nurse Tamika Roberts, aim to enhance the way important patient education is delivered to spinal cord injury inpatients by creating a more engaging and interactive learning environment.

The initiative was developed as part of Tamika’s project for the Improvement Champions Programme at The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital – an internal CPD-accredited course designed to support staff in developing improvement skills and implementing meaningful change.

Tamika said: “My project was all around enhancing the delivery of education to patients here on MCSI and trying to diversify the methods used to deliver it.

“We are now utilising the interactive wall technology so that patients can experience learning in a more immersive and accessible way. Using the Simulation Lab encourages patients to actively engage with the sessions and technology, which can also support stimulation and wheelchair skills.”

The patient education sessions cover essential topics including bowel and bladder management, and skin care, helping patients build confidence and knowledge to support their rehabilitation and ongoing independence.

Patients have already shared positive feedback about the sessions, commenting that they enjoy the Simulation Lab environment and that it helps them retain information more effectively.

Tamika added: “A huge thank you to the Simulation Team for their technical support and facilitating the patients in the Sim Lab.”

Gemma Littley, MCSI Ward Manager, said: “Tamika has been doing a fantastic job, and patients are really benefitting from her sessions.

“She has worked incredibly hard to get this up and running, and it’s wonderful to see the positive impact it is already having for our patients.”