Over the last year, the significant impact of education has been realised through strengthened internal and external engagement. The expertise of the healthcare education office, effective functioning of the committees together with a range of professionals with a passionate commitment to education have made this a remarkable year.  We have successfully become lead provider on behalf of the Health Innovation and Education Cluster (HIEC) partners for core medicine, core surgery and core psychiatry for the north-west worth London sector. Nursing and midwifery have recorded an important increase in staff with higher qualifications which is a key improvement priority indicator in our quality accounts.  

During the year, we opened a new clinical skills and simulation lab at Hammersmith Hospital to improve technical skills of trainees and ultimately the patient experience.  Simulation is increasingly used in healthcare for the whole team to experience clinical scenarios in a safe environment, enabling them to learn the technical skills as well as leadership, team skills and communication. In addition, this year we launched the education website and initiated technology enhanced learning projects. These achievements are notable when set against a backdrop of financial constraint, significant changes in the healthcare landscape and potentially radical reframing of education commissioning.