‘Think SIM’ for your COVID-19 preparations

17 March 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a widespread response across the NHS in terms of how staff and the departments and organisations in which they work can help to manage the challenges being faced now and in the coming weeks and months.

This includes the need to learn new skills and procedures at short notice, to rehearse the management of complex and potentially hazardous clinical cases in unfamiliar environments, and to be assured that any systems, policies and protocols that are put into action are designed to promote safe, effective care and support staff well-being.

There is an important role for simulation as a technique or intervention in this set of unique circumstances, which will be implemented more effectively if integrated and aligned with the many other initiatives aimed at supporting staff and the NHS as a whole.

This guidance document seeks to provide a framework to help your local simulation-based endeavours achieve the most benefit for the needs in your organisation and department. Further resources and examples of practice to support each domain of the framework are currently being collated for sharing nationally in the immediate future.

ENDS