Mannequins provide 'vital' hands-on nurse training

The mannequins are interactive and respond to the students who are using them

New training mannequins will play a "vital role in improving the hands-on learning experience" for student nurses.

Manx Care said the "state-of-the-art" Juno Manikins would allow students "to practise essential clinical skills in a safe, realistic environment".

Funding for the training aids was provided by the Henry Bloom Noble Healthcare Trust to boost the on-island training of nurses.

Keyll Darree School of Health education lead Liz Hignett said they would "significantly enhance" the program and help "cultivate our next generation of nursing professionals”.

The modern, interactive training aids include reservoir functions that emit fluid when used in intravenous procedures or draining oedema.

Other skills which can be practiced on the mannequins, which can be adjusted to suit both male and female anatomy, include taking pulses, taking blood, catheterisation, and stoma care.

'Skilled workforce'

The donation comes amid a drive by Manx Care to the boost the recruitment and training of nurses on the island, with a bachelor of nursing degree programme launched in October.

Manx Care said that prospective nursing students would be able take a look at the mannequins and Keyll Darree facilities at its nursing open evening at 18:00 GMT on 05 December.

Trust chairman Malcolm Clague said there were strong benefits to studying nursing on the island.

"The students are offered a bursary here, don’t have to get in debt or leave friends and family behind," he said.

"Encouraging on-island education is the key to retaining a skilled workforce in years to come."