King’s to open state-of-the-art training academy
12 May 2022 - Trust's education and training facility for nurses, midwives and AHPs will open in 2023
King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has started work on a new education and training academy for nurses, midwives and allied healthcare professionals (AHPs), which will open its doors in 2023.
The new state-of-the-art facility – located in Loughborough Junction, a five minute walk from the King’s College Hospital site – will provide dedicated simulation, teaching and conference rooms for nursing, midwifery and AHP staff, and education facilities across a floor space of 820m2.
King’s Academy will be housed in a refurbished unit located on Hinton Road. Work on converting and refurbishing the building has now started, and training will be provided out of the building from 2023.
The Trust employs over 8,000 nurses, midwives and AHPs, and enhancing training and education opportunities for these staff groups is a key part of the Trust’s five year strategy and BOLD vision published last year.
The facility will house two dedicated simulation rooms – containing one and two bedded bays respectively – and use the latest manikins to create and recreate immersive patient simulations.
Dedicated debriefing rooms will also be used for expert staff and teams to review the activity undertaken, exploring performance and delivering education, so creating a completely safe environment to learn in.
Separate teaching rooms will enable staff to practice their technical skills for procedures such as catheterisation and IV cannulation. The facility will also deliver in-person and online training and education opportunities for NHS staff from other Trusts, plus international nurses and organisations.
The facility is being funded by and delivered in partnership with King’s Commercial Services, which works in the UK and internationally on a range of projects and initiatives to generate funds for the Trust to support staff, and to improve care for NHS patients.
Speaking on International Nurses’ Day, Professor Nicola Ranger, Chief Nurse and Executive Director of Midwifery at the Trust, said:
“This is such an important step forward for King’s, and our nursing, midwifery and AHP colleagues. We know how important education is for our staff, so to have a dedicated, state-of-the-art facility for us to use is so exciting. The new facility is going to be a true game-changer for King’s, and also provide a training venue for healthcare professionals across London and the south east. We look forward to opening it early next year.”
Professor Clive Kay, Chief Executive, added:
“By opening our new King’s Academy, we will be in a better position to help our staff aspire to be the best they can be. I am also pleased that we are establishing even stronger links with our local communities, and the re-development of Hinton Road in Loughborough Junction follows the recent opening of Coldharbour Works in the same area, where we already provide therapy services for patients, and office space for staff.”