The SimBaby simulator (nicknamed ‘SimBaby’) represents a major enhancement to The QEH’s simulation capabilities.
The £60,000 plus investment will allow staff across maternity, neonatal, and paediatric services to practise life-saving procedures in a safe, realistic environment, preparing them to respond with confidence when every second counts.
The SimBaby is a crucial addition to The QEH’s existing simulation portfolio, which includes a purpose-built Simulation Centre and on-ward simulation facilities. Supplied by Laerdal, the new simulator mimics a real baby – it breathes, cries, moves, and responds – and can replicate a wide range of emergency scenarios, from respiratory distress and shock to cardiopulmonary arrest. It will play an integral role in multidisciplinary team training, strengthening clinical and communication skills across all staff levels.
Helen Muncey, Head of Education at The QEH, said: “This generous investment from The QEH Charity is a game-changer for our neonatal and paediatric training. This simulation manikin will allow us to deliver cutting-edge, hands-on education that mirrors real-life clinical situations. Not only does this support our staff in developing vital skills, but it also contributes directly to safer, higher-quality care for our tiniest patients and their families.”
As of 24 June 2025, Laerdal has officially completed the commissioning and training of the SimBaby, significantly expanding the hospital’s simulation school, which previously focused on adult care, to now include dedicated paediatric and neonatal training.
The simulator supports the implementation of Martha’s Rule, a national initiative aimed at improving the timely recognition and response to patient deterioration. By providing staff with realistic, high-pressure training scenarios, SimBaby directly helps teams develop confidence and competence in identifying and escalating care for deteriorating infants.
Pippa Street, Chief Nurse at The QEH, added: “We are incredibly grateful to The QEH Charity for making this vital investment possible. The neonatal and paediatric stages in life are critical and vulnerable times for babies and their families. These simulators allow our teams to refine their skills and work collaboratively in high-pressure scenarios – ultimately helping to save lives and improve outcomes. This is a brilliant example of how charitable support directly benefits frontline care.”
The SimBaby will be used in line with national initiatives such as the Saving Babies’ Lives Care Bundle and the NHS Maternity Incentive Scheme, as well as best practice guidance from the British Association of Perinatal Medicine (BAPM), which strongly advocates for regular simulation-based training in neonatal units.
This simulator joins the hospital’s onsite simulation ward, which already includes four adult manikins, a medication trolley, digital information board, and full resuscitation equipment – reinforcing The QEH’s commitment to realistic, team-centred simulation training across all age groups.
This investment reflects not only the hospital’s dedication to clinical excellence, but also the generosity of the local community whose donations to The QEH Charity make such advancements possible.
Ends.
Notes to editors;
If you would like to raise funds for good causes or help an appeal at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, please take a look at our website www.qehklcharity.co.uk. Alternatively, please email our Charity team at Charity@qehkl.nhs.uk or call 01553 613309.
For media enquiries only, please contact Communications Team, media.enquiries@qehkl.nhs.uk or 01553 613216.
For all other enquiries, please contact QEH Switchboard on 01553 613613.
About QEHKL Charity: QEHKL Charity plays a vital role in supporting The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn. The charity raises funds for medical equipment, research, services, and facilities that directly benefit patients and their families. With its support, QEHKL can provide high-quality care, expand services, and improve the hospital experience for those in need.
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