The Duchess of Edinburgh officially opens King’s Academy
05 July 2023 - Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Edinburgh has officially opened a new training academy for nurses, midwives and allied healthcare professionals (AHPs) based at King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
Her Royal Highness visited the brand-new King’s Academy located in Loughborough Junction, south London today (Wednesday, 5 July), the same day that the NHS celebrated its 75th anniversary.
The Duchess was given a tour of the new facility by Professor Clive Kay, Chief Executive of King’s College Hospital, and Tracey Carter, Chief Nurse and Executive Director of Midwifery at the Trust.
Her Royal Highness also met NHS staff who will use the facility, and saw first-hand the type of training that will take place in the King’s Academy, including taking blood, and resuscitation.
The new King’s Academy also provides dedicated simulation, teaching and conference rooms, as well as educational facilities, across a floor space of 820 m². It will be used by many of the Trust’s 8,000 nurses, midwives and AHPs, and also be used by healthcare professionals from others part of London and the south east.
During her visit, Her Royal Highness was shown the two dedicated simulation rooms –containing one- and two-bedded bays respectively – and also saw the latest manikins which are used to create and recreate immersive patient simulations.
Separate teaching rooms enable staff to practice their technical skills for procedures such as catheterisation and IV cannulation. The facility will also deliver in-person and online training and education opportunities for NHS staff from other Trusts, plus international nurses and organisations.
During her visit, The Duchess also unveiled a plaque to mark the opening of the facility, and also cut a special birthday cake to mark the 75th anniversary of the NHS.
Professor Clive Kay, Chief Executive, said:
“The King’s Academy is a really exciting new project for the Trust, so we were delighted that Her Royal Highness was able to visit the new facility, and meet and talk to staff.
“The fact we were able to open the new facility on the NHS’ 75th birthday made the day extra special, and we are looking forward to using the new facility to help train future generations of healthcare professionals, both at King’s and further afield.”
The facility has been funded by King’s Commercial Services, which works in the UK and internationally to generate funds for the Trust to support staff and improve care for NHS patients.