UHNM shortlisted for Three HSJ Digital Awards
University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust is proud to announce that the Midlands Imaging Training Academy (MITA) at County Hospital, Stafford has been nominated for three HSJ Awards.
Patients and clinicians across the Midlands are benefiting from the £1.28million AI upgrade to radiology training facilities the Postgraduate Medical Centre and now the academy has been nominated for HSJ Digital Awards in the following categories:
• Digital Team of the Year
• Digital Innovator of the Year
• Enhancing Workforce Engagement, Productivity and Wellbeing through Digital.
NHS England (Midlands) provided the funding to develop a new training model at the Midlands Imaging Training Academy (MITA) which was developed and built by Sim4Med, specialists in NHS education centre design, build and technology projects.
The training facility means one consultant can simultaneously train and supervise learners across all regional academy sites, giving other consultants more time to spend with patients.
The new electronics and picture archiving suite (EPACS) is also being piloted as a platform to develop AI learning and cooperation in imaging academies, with eye tracking teaching the AI algorithms based on human behaviours.
Using the newly installed XRNET high speed education network and state of the art EPACS workstations, it’s now possible for remote trainers to teach and observe trainees in real-time and to link education facilities and other national academies to share and collaborate using high-definition imaging.
Dr Ingrid Britton, Midlands Imaging Training Academy Director and UHNM Gastrointestinal Radiologist, has been nominated as HSJ Digital Innovator of the Year and said: “I am thrilled that the hard working and deserving team behind MITA have been shortlisted for these awards and I am honoured to be shortlisted among colleagues across the country as innovator of the year.”
She added: “The investment from NHS England and partnership approach has allowed us to upgrade our facilities to provide state of the art imaging training to our imaging staff, with the potential to link classrooms across the Midlands. This expands the capacity for training and has allowed us to increase the number of trainees providing diagnostic and therapeutic services to patients on emergency, elective and cancer pathways.
“The new simulation facilities for ultrasound supervision, CT and vascular diagnostic and interventional procedural work provide excellent learning practice to get students work ready for the fast-paced clinical environment.”
Stuart Fisher, of Sim4Med, said: “The Postgraduate Medical Centre at Stafford Hospital is already well recognised for its state-of-the-art simulation suite and extended reality lab and I am really pleased that Sim4Med has once again been able to provide the bespoke technology to support the training and education of future clinicians in a connected environment. It is a huge honour to be recognised and shortlisted alongside NHS colleagues and collaborators for the tremendous work into the Midlands Imaging Training Academy.”
Tom Kirkbride, joint Director for Workforce Training and Education, NHS England (Midlands), said: “This nomination is an example showing our investment in services as part of the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan, to reform the way our healthcare learners progress, using fit-for purpose digital technology to allow them to focus on patient care.
“As part of the Midlands Imaging Training Academy we expect it to have a positive impact on learners, using inclusive simulation equipment and supporting the plan to increase the numbers of imaging clinicians entering the healthcare workforce. This is directly linked to the vision to create a sustainable workforce and over time, lead to waiting lists being cut.”
A full list of nominees for the 2024 HSJ Digital Awards can be found https://digitalawards.hsj.co.uk/shortlist-2024.
The winners will be announced during an awards ceremony in Manchester on 6 June 2024.