Hyper-realistic birthing suite equipped with lifelike robots to train Griffith University midwives
Lifelike robots and a hyper-realistic setting make up a new birthing suite opening on the Gold Coast today.
Gold Coast
Don't miss out on the headlines from Gold Coast. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A NEW hyper-realistic birthing suite equipped with a lifelike ‘simulation mum’ will officially open at Griffith University on the Gold Coast today.
Griffith midwifery students will now be given a hands on experience in the classroom thanks to the new immersive learning birth suites at the Southport Campus.
The suites, previously only available at the Logan campus are an exact mirror copy of the current facilities at Gold Coast University Hospital, from the very latest equipment to the bedspread.
GOLD COAST FERTILITY: WHICH SUBURBS HAVE BABY MAKING MOJO?
From a control room behind mirrored glass teachers can watch and record students working on the ‘simulated mother’ (dubbed Simone) and can change conditions to test the soon-to-be midwives.
The facilities also provide access to Simone and baby mannequins which can be moved into a variety of positions and scenarios including a water birth.
‘Simone’ can cough, vomit, breathe and make ‘birthing’ sounds and also has blood pressure and a pulse which can be changed for each scenario.
Head of Midwifery Professor Jenny Gamble says the simulated environment builds midwifery students’ confidence.
“The more familiar you are with the environment the less anxiety and concentration that takes,” she said.
GOLD COAST HEALTH INTRODUCES CATCHMENT BAN ON BABY BIRTHS
“Our suites feature exactly the same emergency equipment, for instance, neonatal resuscitation trolley, medication room set-up, the same placement of equipment and settings on the timber board behind the bed for oxygen, suction, emergency buzzers and the same layout of a birth room.
“Our facilities also include a control room where teaching leads can watch/record students operating in the simulated environment behind one-way glass and even change conditions or scenarios on the run to test would-be midwives, just as they would be tested in a real-life birth.
“It then offers the chance to debrief after scenarios, which also helps the learning process.”
GET FULL DIGITAL ACCESS: $5 PER MONTH FOR THE FIRST 3 MONTHS
Gold Coast University Hospital was consulted in the fit-out of the new facilities, which cost around $800,000.
Griffith’s Nursing and Midwifery program was rated number one in the country and fourth globally in the 2019 Shanghai rankings.
The Bachelor of Midwifery recently celebrated its 10th anniversary.
‘Have we really come to this?’: Paid parking at tiny Gold Coast shops
Paid parking at a tiny suburban shopping village? It seems crazy, but this is the new reality for the Gold Coast.
Divisive art king’s shocking homecoming
The Gold Coast tried to cancel him, but internationally acclaimed artist Michael Zavros is braving a homecoming as guest artistic director for Bleach. He promises audiences will not be disappointed – but might be shocked.