Real world learning

Opened in summer 2023, our new state-of-the-art £2.87 million Centre for Medical Imaging is equipped with the latest GE Healthcare technology, including the Revolution Maxima CT scanner, two Discovery static digital X-ray systems, an Optima digital mobile X-ray system, five ultrasound scanners, and a dedicated mammography suite. This world-class environment supports teaching, learning, and research, enhancing clinical provision and fostering collaborations with healthcare providers.

As part of the North West Imaging Academy, our Centre is designated as an Ultrasound Academy, collaborating closely with clinical partners to establish a clinical ultrasound imaging facility. Future plans include expanding our capabilities to support plain imaging, CT, and mammography referrals, further enhancing our contribution to NHS services.

Our state-of-the-art healthcare simulation suite is a cornerstone of practical training in health and social care. It stands as a leading facility in the North West and is used by our nursing and midwifery, allied health, psychology, and social sciences departments for teaching and research purposes. 

The suite encompasses hospital rooms, including adult and children's bays, a treatment room, a day room, bathrooms, midwifery labour, and home rooms. Each space is equipped with NHS-sourced beds, clinical equipment, and simulated oxygen and suction to enhance realism. Secured with swipe card access and nurses station, it provides a controlled environment for students to develop essential patient care skills. 

Our simulation programme includes advanced human patient simulators capable of replicating complex medical conditions such as cardiac arrest, pneumonia, trauma, and seizures. Operated by experienced simulation technicians from specialist control rooms, these simulators can simulate physiological responses, administer fluids and drugs, and simulate realistic scenarios. This immersive training equips students thoroughly for real-world placements, ensuring they are well-prepared for their careers in healthcare. 

The DIVE allows users to experience various environments seamlessly within the suite. This cutting-edge technology combines multiple cameras to project realistic images onto the walls, accompanied by advanced audio equipment that can transform the space into diverse settings such as an ambulance, nightclub, prison cell, or family home. 

The suite is equipped with a comprehensive audio-visual system that enables streaming, recording, and playback of scenarios. It features discreet multi-camera and microphone setups, facilitating different perspectives including close-ups of procedures.

Our Simulation and Rehabilitation Flats provide realistic settings for students to simulate at-home community visits. All flats include a kitchen, bedroom, and living space, equipped with cameras for live streaming to nearby classrooms or recording for assessment and video-facilitated feedback. These features enhance learning outcomes through structured debriefing methods and help to improve students' response time and clinical skills.

The Daily Living Rehabilitation Flat, primarily used by occupational therapy students, is specially equipped with adapted equipment and ceiling track hoists in the bedroom and bathroom for safe transfers. It offers practical experience in supporting service users to increase independence. The kitchen hosts group baking and kitchen assessment sessions, while the bedroom includes essential equipment like a high-seat chair, raised bed, and commode, providing immersive personal care practice in a supportive environment resembling real-life home settings.

These spaces accommodate various disciplines including social work, nursing, midwifery, and policing. They simulate a wide range of activities from victim interviews to home births and welfare visits, providing diverse practical and cross-discipline experiences crucial for student learning and professional development.