Strap in for one of the most imaginative episodes of SimCast yet. In this Desert-Island-Discs-inspired simulation challenge, Lawrence and Tony face a dramatic scenario: the plane taking them to an international simulation conference has crash-landed. With only two minutes to grab equipment, they must choose three essential pieces of simulation kit to build a functioning sim centre on a desert island… plus one luxury item.

Whether you’re a simulation technologist, clinical educator, paramedic, ODP, or simply love creative approaches to sim-based education, this episode is packed with insights and humour.

#simcast #podcast #simulation #clinicalsimulation #highereducation 

In this epsidoe, Tony and Lawrence sit down with Nick Turton, Simulation Centre Manager at the University of Nottingham’s Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences. Nick oversees a highly evolved simulation ecosystem, including a faculty-wide clinical skills service, a specialist technical workforce, and a 100-strong simulated patient network.

Together, we explore what a Simulation Centre Manager actually does, why the role is vital for universities, and how strategic leadership, governance, and financial management underpin high-quality simulation-based education. From VR labs to mannequin maintenance, student experience to long-term planning, Nick offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at how large-scale simulation centres really operate.

If you’ve ever wondered how simulation infrastructure is built, sustained, and future-proofed, this is one to catch.

In this episode, Tony and Lawrence are joined by Nathan Conradie, founder  and CEO of Proficien, a company that uses digital solutions to enable healthcare professionals and providers to monitor skills proficiency.  Nathan discusses his novel approach to this by assigning skills 'currency' which fluctuates in value depending on how current the individual is in a given skill.

To find out more about Proficien and the work Nathan is doing, please access the links below:

Website - https://www.proficien.org/
Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/proficien
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/proficien_technologies

#SimCast #Simulaiton #Podcast

In this episode, Lawrence and Tony are joined by Jake Rahman, founder of the simulation collective and host of between two simulators in association with SimZine Magazine.  In the episode Jake talks about being a small fish in the big pond of commercial simulation and how this affords him the flexibility to be agile and work with smaller companies to bring simulation solutions to the people that need them.

#SimCast #Simulation #Podcast

In this episode, Tony and Lawrence speak with Carolyn Cleveland, founder of C&C Empathy Training Ltd (CCET). With a background in counselling and psychology (and shaped by deeply personal experiences) Carolyn brings a powerful, human-centred approach to empathy, resilience, and emotional awareness.  In the episode we explore how empathy can be used genuinely in simulation, whether it is possible to measure empathy and how we can use empathy to become better educators.

Please find a link to Carolyn's website below:

https://www.empathytrainingltd.co.uk/

In this special episode of SimCast, Lawrence and Tony look back over the past 50 episodes to pick their favourites and discuss why they have picked them.

Whether you've been following us from the very beginning or you're just new to SimCast, we would love to hear from you about what you think the podcast as we mark this milestone.  Drop us a comment down below...

#simcast #simulation #podcast

In this episode the SimCast boys are joined by David Shablak and William Belk of the SimGeeks podcast .  In the episode the group discuss meeting your co-host, the origins of SimGeeks and SimulationTek, trans-atlantic simulation challenges and give advice on how to set up your own podcast.

We're looking forward to recording part two of this meeting where we return the favour and join the SimGeeks again, but this time as guests.  Watch this space...

#simcast #simulation #podcast

This week's podcast takes a slightly different approach as Tony and Lawrence discuss how they make SimCast.  The pair talk about the pre-planning that is required, recording the episode itself and what happens after in post production.

Tony and Lawrence have a big announcement to make... Make sure you tune into the episode to find out more...

In this episode, Tony and Lawrence are joined by Dr Jordan Tsigarides.  Jordan, who's PhD is in the use of VR for therapeutic uses, tries to convince our skeptic hosts about the benefits of VR in simulation and gives us a glimpse about what the future might hold...

In this video Tony and Lawrence are joined by Dr Mohamed Nasaif and Boubaker Ayadi-ben-latif who discuss setting up an in-situ simulation programme across the Emirates Health Service.  In the episode the panel discuss how the innovation was born through the COVID-19 pandemic and how the programme has gone from strength to strength since.

In this episode, Lawrence and Tony lose their cool and vent about the things in simulation that really get on their nerves!  No one is safe as the pair of moaning minnie's complain about everything from faulty kit, to using simulation to try and fix all of the world's problems...

We’re back! After an unexpected break, Tony and Lawrence return to the SimCast studio for a catch-up episode full of updates, reflections, and future plans for simulation in higher education.

Tony reveals the biggest news of all... while Lawrence shares his new role as Director of Simulation and Clinical Skills at the University of East Anglia. Together, they discuss why simulation schedules (and life) sometimes collide, and explore how AI is fast becoming the “extra faculty member” every sim team needs.

This episode also dives into the growing concept of Simulated Practice Learning (SPL), simulation taxonomies, governance, and the exciting developments ahead of the Elevate Healthcare Simulation Conference.

Stay tuned for upcoming guests, fresh ideas on low-cost high-impact simulation, and a renewed focus on innovation as we close out 2025.

Join the conversation:

Tell us what you’d like to hear in future episodes, or share your own high-impact, low-cost simulation ideas.

Subscribe on YouTube and your favourite podcast platform to stay up to date!

This week the SimCast team are joined by Kate Denning and Kevin Mackie who are talking about changes to the Generic Instructor Course (GIC), an internationally renowned programme for developing instructors for life support training across a wide range of sub-specialisms.  

In the episode the panel discuss some of the main changes made to the GIC, as well as things that needed to stay and some of the challenges faced along the way.  They look at the underpinning educational principles, a shift towards learner centric facilitation and how the model needs to be replicated at scale whilst still retaining high quality at all times.

If you're a life support provider or instructor you won't want to miss this episode!

The last in our 4-part mini series of top 5's based around the UEA SITE model sees Lawrence and Tony discuss their top 5 equipment choices for simulation.  Some choices are obvious, others not so much.  Stay tuned to see what clinches the number 1 spot for each of our presenters.

Tony and Lawrence work through another top 5, this week concentrating on the people behind simulation with their top 5 team members.  The duo look at their list slightly differently which makes one of them reconsider their choices...

Tony and Lawrence dive into another of their top 5 series where the duo look at their top 5 pieces of sim information needed to ensure sim activity remains top notch.

As usual the rules of engagement are neither person knows the other person's top 5, so stay tuned to see what they have picked.

In this episode Lawrence and Tony are Joined by Dr. Rosie Doy. The trio discuss Rosie's EdD thesis - Messiness and complexity: A case study exploring student parameidcs voayages into navigating uncertainty and look at the parrelells of Rosie's findings and its applicaiton to simulaiton.  True to form, messiness rears its ugly head in the episode so stay tuned to find out what happened...

In this episode Tony and Lawrence discuss their top 5 settitngs to do simulaiton in.  Watch out for the odd curve ball thrown in for good measure...

What would be your top 5?  Let us know...

#simcast #simulation #podcast 

Warning - This episode contains simulated graphic wounds and discussion about trauma that some viewers may find disturbing. 🎃

In this episode, Lawrence and Tony and joined by Barbara and Olaf Jones who run a moulage and special FX company that specialises in traumatic injury for simulation training and film.  The couple tell us about how and why they do the work that they do, brushing shoulders with A list celebrities on hollywood film sets and give us a live demonstration of how to create realistic wounds in under ten minutes.  This is a must watch episode for anyone who is interested in upping the visual impact of their simulation activity!

If you are interested in working with Barbara and Olaf, their contact details are below:

barbaraajones17@gmail.com

The list below is some of the moulage materials that have been discussed in this episode:

- Ben Nye colour wheel (Bruises and abraisions) - https://tinyurl.com/3byeky2d
- Smiffys FX face paint - https://tinyurl.com/2efk27w2
- Sculpt Gel Silicone - https://tinyurl.com/4uryh8kx
- Maekup gloopy runny blood (dark) - https://tinyurl.com/6n9mk8f7
- Ben Nye thick blood - https://tinyurl.com/55ed6s9m
- Mouldlife's arterial blood - https://tinyurl.com/yeyukupr

n this episode, Lawrence and Tony are live at the Associate of Anaesthesia Associates annual conference at the Norwich assembly house.  The conference was a two-day event that comprised of practical workshops on day 1 and a series of keynote presentations and updates on day 2.

The conference was attended by over 60 delegates from across the country most of whom are either Anaesthesia Associates (AA) or trainee AA's.  In the episode we learn more about the role of the AA in the modern healthcare landscape and interview some of the speakers and presenters who were at the conference. 

#SimCast #Simulation #Podcast #SimTechLive

In this episode, Lawrence and Tony are joined by Wendy McCracken and Jamie Stuart of Elevate health care.  In the episode the group dispel some myths and talk about how influential the commerical side of simulation is on shaping the future of simulation based education.

#SimCast #Simulation #podcast 

This is part 3 of a 3 part series deisnged to prepare learners who are new to Simulation Based Education (SBE)

By the end of the episode you should be able to:
- Describe the three phases of SBE delivery
- Describe the purpose of the debrief
- To consider what to think about as a learner in the debrief

References:

Rudolph, J.W., Simon, R., Rivard, P., Dufresne, R.L. and Raemer, D.B., 2007. Debriefing with good judgment: combining rigorous feedback with genuine inquiry. Anesthesiology clinics, 25(2), pp.361-376.

Debriefing gone wrong? In this episode, Tony Jermy and Lawrence Hill explore how simulation debriefs derail (from over-teaching and awkward silences to lost psychological safety) and how to fix them. Learn practical tips, debrief models and communication skills to make every simulation count.

This is part 2 of a 3 part series deisnged to prepare learners who are new to Simulation Based Education (SBE)

By the end of the episode you should be able to:
- Describe the three phases of SBE delivery
- To conisder what to think about during the activity phase
- To recall expectations of learners particpating in simulaiton

This special episode of SimCast was recorded at Sim Tech Live 2024. Tony is joined by special co-host Nicola Cook who talks about the planning and preparation needed for the first ever Sim Tech Live event hosted by Sim and Skills. 

Attended by over 60 technicians from universities and hospitals across the country, this two-day conference was held at the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity base which turned out to be a fantastic venue for the event. In the episode, Tony interviews all of the keynote and workshop speakers so you can gain an insight into what the conference had to offer. Each speaker segment and their company website can be found below:

Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Opening Credits
00:00:49 - Nicola Cook - Sim & Skills
00:17:28 - Chris Porter - Immersive Interactive https://immersive.co.uk/
00:21:07 - Max Smiech - Decent Simulators https://www.decentsimulators.com/
00:26:20 - Dan Blood - Surrey University
00:35:26 - Charles Everard & Mary Holding - ASPiH https://aspih.org.uk/
00:43:12 - Nathan Connell - University of Salford
00:49:36 - Bradley Woodward - RiVR https://rivr.uk/
00:53:55 - Aaron Thind - SimEPR https://www.simepr.com/
00:58:39 - Joe Natalello - Staffordshire University
01:02:04 - Emily Browne - Midlands Air Ambulance Charity https://www.midlandsairambulance.com/
01:08:10 - Nicola Cook - Closing thoughts

#SimCast #Simulation #Podcast #SimTechLive

This is part 1 of a 3 part series deisnged to prepare learners who are new to Simulation Based Education (SBE)

By the end of the episode you should be able to:
- Describe the three phases of SBE delivery
- To conisder what to prepare for simulaiton
- To recall the key elements of the briefing

References:

Somerville, S. G., Harrison, N. M., & Lewis, S. A. (2023). Twelve tips for the pre-brief to promote psychological safety in simulation-based education. Medical Teacher, 45(12), 1349-1356. [Available online] https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/0142159X.2023.2214305

In this episode Tony and Lawrence unpick the semantics of some of the more ambiguous terms commonly used in simulation.  What does simulation actually mean?  What is a confederate and should we be using this term and what on earth is high fidelity?...  All will be revealed in this episode.

In this episode Tony and Lawrence talk to Jackie Dias an associate professor in nursing at the university of Sharjah in the UAE. Jackie talks about her experience of building a simulation centre from the ground up in Pakistan, what was involved and lessons learned. She also talks about the work she is now doing in Sharjah.

In this episode, Tony and Lawrence are joined by Amy Wong an asspociate professor from the Norwich Medical School.  In the episode Amy disucsses research and scholarship potential in simulation, the importance of international collaboration and how Amy is trying to spread this message through her Scholarship, Innovation and Research Network (SIReN).

If you would like to know more about SIReN or would like to discuss about the scholarly work you're invovled in, you can contact Amy vias her email Amy.Wong@uea.ac.uk

In this episode, Tony and Lawrence are joined by Dan Blood a senior simulation technican at the university of Surrey.  The trio discuss a typical day in the life of a sim tech, relationships with other faculty and creative solutions to simulation problems. #simcast #simulation #podcast

In this episode, Lawrence and Tony are Joined by Christine Vogel the lead nurse educator for UbiSim: a company specialising in Virtual Reality (VR) for healthcare education.  They discuss what good VR looks like, where VR sits in the different modalities of simulation education and peek into the future of what VR holds for healthcare simulation. #simcast #simulation #podcast 

LINKS

INACSAL Healthcare Simulation Standards of Best Practice - https://www.inacsl.org/healthcare-simulation-standards

In this episode Lawrence and Tony are joined by Juliet Harrison an associate professor in paramedic science from the University of East Anglia.  This week's topic revolves around some of the challenges faced promoting diversity in simulation. The trio discuss both obvious issues such as skin tone in patient simulators as well as some more subtle nuances such as traditional terminology used in simulation which isn't always inclusive. A very thought provoking episode this one... #simcast #simulation #podcast 

In the Episode Juliet mentions several resources which can be found below:

- Skin Deep - A resource to address the lack of skin tone diversity of paediatric medical education images -  https://dftbskindeep.com/
- Mind the Gap - A clinical resource for signs and symptoms for people with black and brown skin - https://www.blackandbrownskin.co.uk/mindthegap
- Foronda, C., Prather, S. L., Baptiste, D., Townsend-Chambers, C., Mays, L., & Graham, C. (2020). Underrepresentation of racial diversity in simulation: an international study. Nursing education perspectives, 41(3), 152-156. - https://journals.lww.com/neponline/abstract/2020/05000/underrepresentation_of_racial_diversity_in.5.aspx?context=latestarticles

In this episode, Lawrence and Tony are Joined by Irfan and Hannah, two paramedic students who have just undertaken a peer-led Adult Life Support (ALS) simulation session. They discuss their experiences of learning and simulation at UEA, how working with different year groups provides both benefits and challenges and what they have learned from their simulation session #simcast #simulation #podcast

In this episode Lawrence Hill and Tony Jermy are joined by Kate Ewing, Lead for Clinical Simulation Learning at the University of Northampton. With 25 years of NHS experience as a nurse, midwife, and educator, Kate shares her passion for simulation as a “bit of magic” that transforms healthcare education. Together, we unpack why simulation matters, how to build psychological safety, and what it takes to embed high-quality practice across diverse programmes.

In this episode Lawrence and Tony are joined by David Aziz, director of placements for the Norwich Medical School. The three discuss what simulation means in the context of practice-based learning, whether simulation should replace clinical placements and how learning differs between experiences in simulation and those in clinical practice. Discussion takes a philosophical turn throughout and David also throws a curveball question to Lawrence and Tony right at the end of the episode, so keep watching for that one!

In this special episode Lawrence and Tony meet Floris Opal the lead patient simulator at the University of East Anglia. They discuss what simulation manikins get up to after hours, how different professions interact with the manikins and Floris' lofty ambitions moving forwards. #simcast #simulation #podcast

In this episode, Lawrence and Tony are joined by Lindsay Morgan and Charmaine Chandler who discuss their experiences of learning about simulaiton having recently attended the UEA Simulation Inscturctor Course.  They talk about pre-conceived ideas of simulation, what they learned and what they found most valuable about attending the course.

In this episode, Lawrence and Tony are joined by Karan Botsford who talks about her current research using the Guided Observing Learner Debrief (GOLD) Tool.  This tool has been designed to aid observers of a simulaiton event to structure a commentry around key areas of simulation activity to facilitate a richer peer led debrief experience.  They explore the rationale behind the tool, deisgn and implementation and look at some of the prelimarny data that has been gathered and discuss early findings.

In this episode Tony and Lawrence look at finding time to sim when you're a busy academic or clinician juggling multiple priorities.  They look at what problems you often encounter, areas that can be sacrificed and things that must stay and stratergies for survial to ensure we still provide a quality product.

n this episode we are joined by Dave Stewart who is a Non-Conformance and Incident Manager at an industrial packaging company.  

Dave shares his experiences of working with Tony and Lawrence who ran two in situ simulation events at Dave's company to test their responsiveness to a workplace health and safety incident.  

Following each event, Tony and Lawrence's consultancy buisness 'OnSITE insight' provided a debrief to staff alongside a follow up report of findings in an attempt to further increase workplace safety.

Episode 6 of 6

In this episode we will be discussing simulation debriefing

By the end of the episode you will be able to achieve the following learning outcomes:

- Outline the basic structure and function of a debrief.
- Differentiate between debriefing and feedback.
- Discuss various debriefing techniques.

References:

Rudolph, J.W., Simon, R., Rivard, P., Dufresne, R.L. and Raemer, D.B., 2007. Debriefing with good judgment: combining rigorous feedback with genuine inquiry. Anesthesiology clinics, 25(2), pp.361-376.

Episode 5 of 6

In this episode we will be discussing how to delivery simulation effectively

By the end of the episode you will be able to achieve the following learning outcomes:

- Understand the importance of a structured approach to SBE.
- Describe the phases of simulation delivery.

References

Somerville, S. G., Harrison, N. M., & Lewis, S. A. (2023). Twelve tips for the pre-brief to promote psychological safety in simulation-based education. Medical Teacher, 1-8. [Available online] https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/0142159X.2023.2214305

Episode 4 of 6

In this episode we will be discussing how to plan simulation effectively

By the end of the episode you will be able to achieve the following learning outcomes:

- Define the components of the SITE model.
- Use the SITE model as a tool for planning simulation.
- Conclude that planning simulation is a multi-faceted process.

In this special episode of SimCast, Lawrence and Tony present their podcast live from the Human Patient Simulation Network 2023 Conference in Nottingham.

Metacast: Bringing Simplicity to the complex process of podcasting... Live!

The duo use simulation and their complex system model SITE to discuss how they create a podcast from start to finish.

Welcome back to school everyone!  As we begin a new school year in higher education, Tony and Lawrence discuss some changes to simulation at UEA Norwich and the impact that this might have on them moving forwards...

SimCast Special - The UEA Simualtion Instructor Course

Episode 3 of 6

In this episode we will be discussing topics around simulation safety.

By the end of the episode you will be able to achieve the following learning outcomes:

- Define the "basic assumption" made about learners undertaking Simulation Based Education (SBE).
- Outline the importance of and descrie aspects of safety in SBE.
- Criticall appriase the concept of safety in simulation.

SimCast Special - The UEA Simualtion Instructor Course

Episode 2 of 6

In this episode we will be discussing who is in the Simulation Faculty

By the end of the episode you will be able to achieve the following learning outcomes:

- Recall the key roles of individuals involved in the design and delivery of Simulation Based Education (SBE).
- Consider how key roles contribute to the delivery of SBE.
- Appreciate the complexity of fulfilling these roles within the constraints of healthcare education.

SimCast Special - The UEA Simualtion Instructor Course

Episode 1 of 6

In this episode we will be discussing What is Simualtion Based Education (SBE).

By the end of the episode you will be able to achieve the following learning outcomes:

- Define what is SImulation Based Education
- Describe common simulation modalities
- Explain the Simulaiton Based Education process

References

Gaba, D. M. (2004). The future vision of simulation in health care. BMJ Quality & Safety, 13(suppl 1), i2-i10. [Available online] https://qualitysafety.bmj.com/content/13/suppl_1/i2.short

Somerville, S. G., Harrison, N. M., & Lewis, S. A. (2023). Twelve tips for the pre-brief to promote psychological safety in simulation-based education. Medical Teacher, 1-8. [Available online] https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/0142159X.2023.2214305

In this episode Tony and Lawrence reflect on the UEA simulation instructor course; an in house training programme designed to help academic staff at UEA develop the skills required to deliver simulaiton based education effectively.

Stay tuned for a special announcement at the end of the podcast!