The annual SPARK Conference is here
Join us at Scunthorpe General Hospital on Friday 19 September for our eighth annual SPARK Conference.
SPARK Conference
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Who we are
SPARK is a regional simulation network led by the Hull Institute of Learning and Simulation, with support from simulation teams across the North.
Together, we share ideas, support each other’s practice, and promote high-quality simulation in healthcare. We focus on practical skills, patient safety, and showcasing the power of simulation in healthcare.
Each year, SPARK hosts an annual conference — a space to connect, learn, and celebrate the incredible work happening across our region.
Our facilities
Hull
Join us at our cutting-edge training facilities in Hull and Cottingham, where immersive simulation centres feature flexible ward setups, operating theatres, and seminar spaces for a high-tech educational experience. Since 2011, we've attracted international delegates with innovative courses that integrate advanced VR, AI-driven simulations, and 3D printing technology, pushing the boundaries of healthcare training. Our expert facilitators design bespoke, lifelike scenarios using state-of-the-art equipment, and our in situ sessions bring this advanced tech directly to clinical settings, ensuring accessibility and unlocking your potential in the future of healthcare.
York/Scarborough
The Scarborough and York Medical Education Centres both provide outstanding training facilities equipped with cutting-edge technology for a wide range of clinical programmes. Scarborough's centre, housed in its own building, features a full-scale lecture theatre, smart screens, VR headsets, and unique clinical models produced on-site. It boasts two simulation rooms—one with a two-way observation window and high-fidelity manikins, and another with out-of-hours access to Innovus Laparoscopic simulators and custom suture pads. Meanwhile, York's centre, located on the fifth floor with stunning city views, offers high-quality courses supported by Ethicon, Storz, and the Royal College of Surgeons, alongside advanced simulators like the Scan-trainer Ultrasound and Simbionix Endoscopy systems. Both centres are committed to delivering top-tier healthcare education.
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The Clinical Skills and Simulation Lab at Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital in Grimsby provides cutting-edge training with a Medium Fidelity manikin, an Anaesthetic Machine, and a flexible space divided by a one-way mirror for simulations. A pending Simulation Lab at Scunthorpe General Hospital complements access to Clinical Skills rooms, lecture halls, and unused wards for training. Both Grimsby and Scunthorpe, along with Goole, focus heavily on practical, in-situ simulation training, allowing clinical teams to engage without leaving their departments. This approach helps identify latent risks during drills, enhancing patient safety. The facilities also include Gaumard Hal and Mega code Kid manikins, iSim Laparoscopy simulators, PROMPT birthing simulators, and advanced camera systems.