New Life Special Care Babies Proudly Funds Second Premmie Anne Training Manikin for Bristol Neonatal Department

New Life Special Care Babies is delighted to announce the funding of a second Premmie Anne manikin for the Neonatal Department of the North Bristol NHS Trust. This new manikin known as the ‘Premmie Anne’ will significantly enhance the department's ability to provide critical training and care for premature and critically ill newborns.

Nearly a decade ago, New Life Special Care Babies funded the first Premmie Anne manikin for Bristol's Neonatal Department. Over the years, this invaluable tool has participated in numerous training sessions and simulations, greatly contributing to the development of neonatal care skills. After 8-9 years of rigorous use, the first manikin is now in need of repairs, limiting its functionality to a low-fidelity task trainer.

Supporting Advanced Training and Education

Our support for the new Premmie Anne manikin will enable the Bristol Neonatal Department to continue delivering high-quality training across several essential areas:

Point of Care Simulation and MDT Training: These sessions are conducted in the NICU, CDS, and antenatal wards, providing medical staff with the opportunity to practice and refine their skills in real-world settings.

Deanery Courses: The Neonatal Step-Up to Registrar course and the Practical Procedures course benefit doctors in training throughout the Severn deanery. The new manikin will help them practice intubation skills, manage difficult airways, and make critical clinical decisions in a safe, simulated environment before taking on senior roles.

Departmental Teaching: Recently, senior trainees used Premmie Anne for a session on the practicalities of withdrawal of intensive care. This training is essential for visualising and managing the transition of preterm babies from ventilators and incubators to parental care. The session, held every six months, consistently receives positive feedback, and there are plans to expand it into a regional course.

The primary beneficiaries of these enhanced training programs are, undoubtedly, the babies under the care of the Bristol Neonatal Department. By allowing doctors and nurses to practice their skills, make informed decisions, and work effectively as a team in a simulated environment, they are better prepared for real-life situations.

Dr Madhavi Parvathareddy, Associate Specialist Neonatologist said “The direct benefits for the babies we care for is that doctors and nurses have had the opportunity to practice skills, decision making and team working in a safe simulated environment. We are in the process of setting up a regular MDT sim program with our maternity sim team as per the Ockenden report recommendations and we hope to launch it later this year. The new Premmie Anne manikin represents more than just an advanced training tool; it symbolises our shared dedication to providing the highest standard of care and education. We are excited about the future opportunities this will bring to the Bristol Neonatal Department and look forward to sharing more updates and photos from their training sessions.”

Trevor Goodall, Founder and CEO of New Life commented “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our supporters whose generosity made this acquisition possible. Their contributions continue to make a profound impact on neonatal services across the UK as well as the lives of the babies and families served by the Bristol Neonatal Department.”