Pioneering Digital Innovation in Maternity Care: Transforming Training with VR 360
The prestigious Awards celebrate the best in teamwork and evidence-based practice, honouring outstanding individuals and teams who positively impact the lives of women, families, and newborns. Recognised for setting world-class standards in midwifery, these awards highlight projects and professionals who elevate maternity care to new heights.
The Maternity Team at the Clinical Simulation Centre at CDDFT has set a new standard in maternity training by integrating Virtual Reality (VR) 360 technology into its Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) emergency preparedness program. This project, now recognised for its excellence in digital innovation, is transforming how maternity staff prepare for high-stakes scenarios, with far-reaching benefits for the safety and well-being of women, babies, and families across pregnancy, birth, and the postnatal period.
With VR 360, maternity staff engage in immersive, 360-degree simulations, offering a first-person perspective that mirrors real-life maternity emergencies. A synchronised headset experience allows teams to learn in a realistic, safe environment, enhancing both technical and non-technical skills. Designed to meet NHS Core Competency standards, this training solution not only aligns with Maternity Incentive Scheme Safety Action 8-Module 3 requirements but also addresses common barriers to engagement, such as simulation anxiety and lack of realism in traditional settings.
The project’s impact has been substantial, delivering a consistent, high-quality training program with measurable success:
Enhanced Engagement: 99% of staff rated the VR training as good or better, with 94% specifically endorsing the 360-degree simulation experience.
Improved Emergency Preparedness: VR 360 training has strengthened skills in clinical decision-making, communication, teamwork, and leadership, crucial for managing obstetric emergencies.
Psychological Safety: Staff report feeling "less pressured" and "more comfortable" in VR simulations, enabling greater openness and focus on learning.
The Maternity Team’s commitment to digital innovation extends beyond the current program, with plans to develop new VR scenarios for home births, safeguarding, and beyond, potentially scaling this training to other Trusts. Using Redbox VR’s “classroom in a box” system, CDDFT is ensuring this solution remains a cost-effective, repeatable resource that can support maternity training for years to come.
The Clinical Simulation Centre at CDDFT, through this outstanding VR 360 project, exemplifies how digital solutions can make a profound difference in healthcare. This initiative not only enhances the safety and effectiveness of maternity services but also ensures that maternity professionals feel empowered, confident, and ready to provide exceptional care, benefiting women, babies, and families across the region.
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