To briefly recap on the last 12 months in the TFI calendar, we look at some of our achievements throughout the year and outline a few of the things we shall strive towards in 2012.
2011 has been a hectic, fruitful year for the TFI team. The e4E project launched 35 e-Learning for Equipment medical device training modules, accessible to NHS staff through the National Learning Management System (NLMS), and the e-Learning for Healthcare (eLfH) portal. TFI project managers for e4E presented a useful, well received case study, “How e-Learning can be implemented to enhance Medical Device Training”, at the Developing the Role of the Medical Device Trainer, healthcare conference held in Leeds.
Wider distribution of our information and training outputs continues to expand through the TFI Store web portal. The National Association of Medical Device Trainers and Educators (NAMDET), established and supported by TFI from recognition of the need for an authoritative voice to represent all those connected with Medical Device training in healthcare, was successfully prepared for emergence as a stand alone organisation. Now ready to go it alone, NAMDET will begin 2012 as an independent body representing the national interests of medical device trainers. The Association is in safe hands and set to become the recognised voice for device trainers in healthcare.
Patient Information DVDs were recently distributed to around 200 GP practices throughout London and Trailers are now accessible on the Royal College of General Practitioners web site. We’re looking forward to feedback to assist with future project planning. Finishing touches are being applied to the Theatre Team Training programme, which is also set for launch in the 2012.
Partnership working and collaborations with other major healthcare players increased significantly during the past twelve months. TFI worked jointly on a major national, soon to be launched project with the Royal College of Physicians (RCP), the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), the NW London Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care (CLAHRC), and the National Outreach Forum (NOrF). Closer ties with our hosting body the Chelsea & Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has generated increased participation in Trust activities. TFI team members sit on various Trust steering groups and offer their unique expertise and advice on matters including e-Learning, Intellectual Property, and R&D management and strategy.
A bold new TFI member website resource, the Medical Device Information Portfolio is scheduled for launch on 9th January 2012. With industry sponsorship and participation we aim to grow the information resource over time to become the single most reliable search, locate, view and download portal for the safe and efficient use of Medical Devices in the UK healthcare environment.
Our recent Stakeholder Workshop at the Wellcome Trust, London headquarters gained excellent feedback from delegates who benefitted from a range of pertinent, well targeted speaker presentations. With medical education updates from Health Education England, Community Healthcare Training, a GE Healthcare Academy study on Shared Responsibility, Safety Culture and Team Work, from the National Patient Safety Agency, to an insightful presentation on What the NHS can learn from Formula One Racing, from the Director of McLaren Electronics. Together with presentations from TFI, NAMDET and the MHRA etc, Q&A sessions, Panel Discussions and Networking opportunities, delegates took away much to contemplate and consider integrating into their own work plans for the coming year.