SimCast

In the final episode of our three-part Maudsley Learning series, Lawrence  and Tony are joined by Dr Kirsten Howson and Anni Winnie to explore the central role of debriefing in mental health simulation. They examine how Maudsley Learning uses simulation scenarios as a springboard for deeper reflection, drawing on the Diamond Debrief Model, advocacy with inquiry and carefully structured discussions to explore clinical decision-making, team dynamics, transference, countertransference and unconscious bias.

The conversation also considers psychological safety, co-facilitation and the support required by simulation faculty when working with emotionally charged material. Kirsten and Anni explain how extended b...

In the second episode of our three-part SimCast mini-series with Maudsley Learning, Tony and Lawrence are joined by Camilla Fadel and Gareth Evans to explore how Maudsley Learning designs, adapts and delivers mental health simulation across healthcare, social care, universities, charities, corporate organisations and international partners.

This episode focuses on the practical work behind authentic mental health simulation. Camilla and Gareth discuss co-production, lived experience, trauma-informed design, inclusive practice, actor preparation, scenario manuals, psychological safety, technical creativity and the importance of adapting simulation to the learner group in real time. The conversation also explores how Maudsley Learning...

In this episode of SimCast, Tony and Lawrence sit down with James Pathan and Kiran Virk to explore the remarkable origins of  Maudsley Learning⁠, the UK’s first dedicated mental health simulation centre. From a single mannequin in a box to a nationally recognised centre of excellence, James and Kiran share how they pioneered mental health simulation, developed immersive actor-led scenarios, and built a sustainable simulation programme within the NHS.  

The conversation explores the unique challenges of simulating mental health care, the use of professional actors rather than standardised patients, and the creative techniques used to create authen...

How realistic are our patient simulators, really? In this episode of SimCast, Tony and Lawrence sit down with Professor Willem van Meurs, one of the pioneers of physiological modelling in healthcare simulation. Willem takes us behind the development of some of the world’s first model-driven patient simulators and challenges a major assumption within simulation-based education: why are many modern healthcare simulators less physiologically sophisticated than their predecessors? We explore the science behind model-driven simulation, fidelity, validation, simulation technician workflows, and the future of personalised digital twins in healthcare education.  

From flight simulators and anaesthesia training to neo...

In this episode of SimCast, Lawrence Hill and Tony Jermy are joined by Russ Sinclair, Matt Clark and Hannah May to explore the emerging identity and future direction of the healthcare simulation technician community.

The discussion centres around the development of SimTechSym, a new national symposium designed by simulation technicians for simulation technicians. The conversation explores technician identity, professional recognition, sustainability, networking, communities of practice, and the growing movement behind the glass in healthcare simulation. The guests also discuss technician-led innovation, barriers to recognition, the importance of collaboration, and how SimTechSym aims to create a sustainable national...

What happens when simulated practice learning stops being seen as the “poor substitute” for placement and starts becoming one of the most powerful tools in healthcare education?  In this episode Tony Jermy and Lawrence Hill are joined by Joelle Salje to unpack “The Poison Apple of SPL”.

Drawing on Joelle’s pioneering work in simulated practice learning (SPL), this episode explores why simulation is not simply replacing clinical placement capacity, but creating entirely new opportunities for personalised, inclusive and emotionally intelligent healthcare education. From widening participation and diversity to learner-centred simulation design, this is a thought-provoking conversation for nurse e...

What does it take to make simulation truly meaningful in healthcare education? In this episode of SimCast, Tony Jermy and Lawrence Hill are joined by Linsey McLeish, Head of Skills and Simulation Practice at Buckinghamshire New University, to explore Simulated Practice Learning (SPL), curriculum design, and the growing evidence base linking simulation to patient safety. Drawing on Lindsay’s unique background in intensive care nursing, aeromedical retrieval in the Royal Air Force, and higher education leadership, this conversation unpacks how simulation can move beyond technical skills training to develop communication, leadership, professionalism and clinical judgement.  

From hybrid sim...

Explore the launch of a new, inclusive simulation journal designed to bring together the real-world practice of simulation across healthcare professions. In this episode, we are joined by Aby Mitchell and Sophie Gardner to discuss why this journal was created, how it differs from traditional academic publications, and why there is a need for a more practical, accessible home for simulation scholarship. The conversation explores the gap between valuable work happening in practice and what is often accepted in more traditional journals, particularly for educators, technicians, and clinicians whose insights may be highly relevant but not always framed as...

What happens when simulation goes wrong… before it even begins? In this candid and reflective episode of SimCast, we turn an unexpected error, forgetting to send a guest invitation, into a rich discussion on human factors, complexity, and the realities of simulation-based education. Drawing on real experience, we explore why error is inevitable in complex systems and how educators can reframe mistakes as opportunities for learning, growth, and system improvement.

Using the SITE model (Space, Information, Team, Equipment), we unpack where and why things fail in simulation, from communication breakdowns to equipment issues and organisational pressures. This ep...

In this episode of SimCast, we explore how AI-powered virtual placements are reshaping healthcare simulation. Joined by Abby Mitchell and Behnam Jafari from King’s College London, Tony and Lawrence examine how co-design, representation, and technology intersect to create authentic, scalable learning experiences.

This conversation moves beyond the hype of AI and asks deeper questions about access, authenticity, and the realities of implementing large-scale simulation. From working with marginalised communities to managing 280 students in a single day, this episode offers a candid and practical look at what it really takes to innovate in simulation education.

#Si...

In  this episode of SimCast, Tony and Lawrence are joined by Phil Purver and Alex Clark from iRIS to explore a cloud-based scenario design and management platform that’s changing the way simulation is created, governed and delivered. From AI-generated scenarios to importing legacy Word documents and accessing a global library of over 1200 shared cases, iRIS is tackling the three pressures every simulation team recognises: time, quality and capacity.

We dig into the live demo, governance safeguards, student-led scenario design, interprofessional collaboration and the bigger question of whether AI can democratise simulation without compromising clinical rigour. If you...

In this episode of SimCast Tony and Lawrence are joined by Craig Dores, NHS Simulation Technician, former British Army Combat Medic, host of the SimTech Podcast and founder of the National Simulation Technician Awards,

Craig shares how a gap in the simulation podcast landscape led him to create a platform dedicated to the technician voice. The conversation explores professional identity, the evolving role of simulation technicians, the growth of a national community, and why “just the tech” is a phrase that needs retiring.

If you are involved in healthcare simulation, higher education, NHS workforce development, or t...

In this episode of SimCast, Lawrence Hill and Tony Jermy explore how simulation educators can use large language models to work smarter, not harder.

Rather than focusing on high-cost or bespoke AI simulation platforms, this conversation stays firmly grounded in the pragmatic, everyday use of tools such as ChatGPT and Copilot to support the realities of simulation faculty workloads. The discussion centres on “back-of-house” applications that reduce cognitive load, improve consistency, and free up time for what really matters: learners, facilitation, and quality improvement.

#SimCast #Simulation #Podcast #Healthcare #ClinicalSimulation #HigherEducation

Timestamps

00:00 – Welcom...

In this episode of SimCast, hosts Tony and Lawrence are joined by Jo Sullivan and Kelly Steele to explore neurodiversity in simulation-based education. The conversation examines how simulation design, facilitation and debriefing can unintentionally exclude neurodivergent learners and what educators can do to create more inclusive, psychologically safe learning environments.

Drawing on lived experience, clinical education and higher education practice, this episode unpacks common challenges such as sensory overload, performance anxiety, fidelity overload and rapid-fire debriefing. Jo and Kelly share practical, evidence-informed strategies including sensory-aware simulation design, inclusive assessment practices, alternative debrief contributions and the ethical limits...

Forgive me father for I have simmed... 🙏🏻

SimCast returns for its first episode of 2026, with Tony and Lawrence back in the studio after the festive break and easing themselves into the new year by opening the simulation confessional. Armed with a shuffled deck of cards and a set of AI-generated prompts, they reflect candidly on the moments simulation educators rarely admit out loud, when technology fails, scenarios unravel, or facilitators quietly panic.

Across the episode, the conversation moves from blaming Wi-Fi for Bluetooth failures, to laughing at unexpected learner behaviour, pressing the wrong button, designing scenar...

SimCast  Debriefing the Delegation Live at HPSN 2025. What Could Possibly Go Wrong?...

What happens when you try to debrief an entire conference?

In this special live episode of SimCast, recorded on stage at the Elevate HPSN Conference 2025, Tony Jermy and Lawrence Hill attempt something ambitious, slightly risky, and very on brand for simulation educators: they turn a plenary session into a live debrief.

The premise is simple. Conferences are full of brilliant concurrent sessions, and no one can attend everything. So rather than delivering a traditional keynote, SimCast invited the delegation to collectively r...

Strap in for one of the most imaginative episodes of SimCast yet. In this Desert-Island-Discs-inspired simulation challenge, Lawrence and Tony face a dramatic scenario: the plane taking them to an international simulation conference has crash-landed. With only two minutes to grab equipment, they must choose three essential pieces of simulation kit to build a functioning sim centre on a desert island… plus one luxury item.

Whether you’re a simulation technologist, clinical educator, paramedic, ODP, or simply love creative approaches to sim-based education, this episode is packed with insights and humour.

#simcast #podcast #simulation #clinicalsimulation #high...

In this epsidoe, Tony and Lawrence sit down with Nick Turton, Simulation Centre Manager at the University of Nottingham’s Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences. Nick oversees a highly evolved simulation ecosystem, including a faculty-wide clinical skills service, a specialist technical workforce, and a 100-strong simulated patient network.

Together, we explore what a Simulation Centre Manager actually does, why the role is vital for universities, and how strategic leadership, governance, and financial management underpin high-quality simulation-based education. From VR labs to mannequin maintenance, student experience to long-term planning, Nick offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at how large-scale si...

We’re back! After an unexpected break, Tony and Lawrence return to the SimCast studio for a catch-up episode full of updates, reflections, and future plans for simulation in higher education.

Tony reveals the biggest news of all... while Lawrence shares his new role as Director of Simulation and Clinical Skills at the University of East Anglia. Together, they discuss why simulation schedules (and life) sometimes collide, and explore how AI is fast becoming the “extra faculty member” every sim team needs.

This episode also dives into the growing concept of Simulated Practice Learning (SPL), simula...

Debriefing gone wrong? In this episode, Tony Jermy and Lawrence Hill explore how simulation debriefs derail (from over-teaching and awkward silences to lost psychological safety) and how to fix them. Learn practical tips, debrief models and communication skills to make every simulation count.

In this episode Lawrence Hill and Tony Jermy are joined by Kate Ewing, Lead for Clinical Simulation Learning at the University of Northampton. With 25 years of NHS experience as a nurse, midwife, and educator, Kate shares her passion for simulation as a “bit of magic” that transforms healthcare education. Together, we unpack why simulation matters, how to build psychological safety, and what it takes to embed high-quality practice across diverse programmes.

Welcome back to school everyone!  As we begin a new school year in higher education, Tony and Lawrence discuss some changes to simulation at UEA Norwich and the impact that this might have on them moving forwards...

In this special 2nd birthday episode Lawrence gives Tony a very special birthday gift...

#SimCast #simulation #Clinicalsimulation #highereducation #podcast

In this episode Tony and Lawrence dive into the world of Bloom’s Taxonomy — but with a twist....

You’ve probably seen learning outcomes like “Students will understand…” or “Learners will evaluate…”. But in the world of a simulation, do those verbs actually mean anything?

Join us as we explore:
 • Why traditional Bloom’s verbs fall short in simulation and clinical training
 • The real problems with vague or passive learning outcomes
 • A revised taxonomy of simulation-friendly verbs
 • How to avoid educational jargon that confuses more than it clarifies

This episode is packed with practical...

In this episode, we shine a spotlight on the often overlooked but absolutely essential role of the Simulation-Based Education (SBE) Technician.

Joining us is Josh Johnson, Senior Simulation Technician at the University of East Anglia. With a background in musicology and a passion for both creativity and technical excellence, Josh shares candid insights into his unique journey into healthcare simulation and what it truly means to be an SBE Tech.

This episode not only celebrates the indispensable contributions of simulation technicians but also critically examines the systems, expectations and real-world challenges they face. If you’re...

In this episode hosts Tony Jermy and Lawrence Hill are joined by Mark Ridgeway, Simulation Lead at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust. Together, they dive into the realities, challenges and opportunities of delivering high-impact simulation within a large NHS Trust.

Using the S.I.T.E. model (Surroundings, Information, Team, and Equipment) Tony and Lawrence guide the conversation through the practical framework they’ve developed to help structure and analyse effective simulation design.

Whether you’re new to simulation or leading a programme yourself, this episode offers honest, practice-based reflections on what it takes to e...

In this episode, Tony and Lawrence are joined by Nathan Conradie, founder  and CEO of Proficien, a company that uses digital solutions to enable healthcare professionals and providers to monitor skills proficiency.  Nathan discusses his novel approach to this by assigning skills 'currency' which fluctuates in value depending on how current the individual is in a given skill.

To find out more about Proficien and the work Nathan is doing, please access the links below:

Website - https://www.proficien.org/
Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/proficien
Instagram - https://www.in...

In this episode, Lawrence and Tony are joined by Jake Rahman, founder of the simulation collective and host of between two simulators in association with SimZine Magazine.  In the episode Jake talks about being a small fish in the big pond of commercial simulation and how this affords him the flexibility to be agile and work with smaller companies to bring simulation solutions to the people that need them.

#SimCast #Simulation #Podcast

In this episode, Tony and Lawrence speak with Carolyn Cleveland, founder of C&C Empathy Training Ltd (CCET). With a background in counselling and psychology (and shaped by deeply personal experiences) Carolyn brings a powerful, human-centred approach to empathy, resilience, and emotional awareness.  In the episode we explore how empathy can be used genuinely in simulation, whether it is possible to measure empathy and how we can use empathy to become better educators.

Please find a link to Carolyn's website below:

https://www.empathytrainingltd.co.uk/

In this special episode of SimCast, Lawrence and Tony look back over the past 50 episodes to pick their favourites and discuss why they have picked them.

Whether you've been following us from the very beginning or you're just new to SimCast, we would love to hear from you about what you think the podcast as we mark this milestone.  Drop us a comment down below...

#simcast #simulation #podcast

In this episode the SimCast boys are joined by David Shablak and William Belk of the SimGeeks podcast .  In the episode the group discuss meeting your co-host, the origins of SimGeeks and SimulationTek, trans-atlantic simulation challenges and give advice on how to set up your own podcast.

We're looking forward to recording part two of this meeting where we return the favour and join the SimGeeks again, but this time as guests.  Watch this space...

#simcast #simulation #podcast

This week's podcast takes a slightly different approach as Tony and Lawrence discuss how they make SimCast.  The pair talk about the pre-planning that is required, recording the episode itself and what happens after in post production.

Tony and Lawrence have a big announcement to make... Make sure you tune into the episode to find out more...

In this episode, Tony and Lawrence are joined by Dr Jordan Tsigarides.  Jordan, who's PhD is in the use of VR for therapeutic uses, tries to convince our skeptic hosts about the benefits of VR in simulation and gives us a glimpse about what the future might hold...

In this video Tony and Lawrence are joined by Dr Mohamed Nasaif and Boubaker Ayadi-ben-latif who discuss setting up an in-situ simulation programme across the Emirates Health Service.  In the episode the panel discuss how the innovation was born through the COVID-19 pandemic and how the programme has gone from strength to strength since.

In this episode, Lawrence and Tony lose their cool and vent about the things in simulation that really get on their nerves!  No one is safe as the pair of moaning minnie's complain about everything from faulty kit, to using simulation to try and fix all of the world's problems...

This week the SimCast team are joined by Kate Denning and Kevin Mackie who are talking about changes to the Generic Instructor Course (GIC), an internationally renowned programme for developing instructors for life support training across a wide range of sub-specialisms.  

In the episode the panel discuss some of the main changes made to the GIC, as well as things that needed to stay and some of the challenges faced along the way.  They look at the underpinning educational principles, a shift towards learner centric facilitation and how the model needs to be replicated at scale whilst st...

The last in our 4-part mini series of top 5's based around the UEA SITE model sees Lawrence and Tony discuss their top 5 equipment choices for simulation.  Some choices are obvious, others not so much.  Stay tuned to see what clinches the number 1 spot for each of our presenters.

Tony and Lawrence work through another top 5, this week concentrating on the people behind simulation with their top 5 team members.  The duo look at their list slightly differently which makes one of them reconsider their choices...

Tony and Lawrence dive into another of their top 5 series where the duo look at their top 5 pieces of sim information needed to ensure sim activity remains top notch.

As usual the rules of engagement are neither person knows the other person's top 5, so stay tuned to see what they have picked.