SimCast

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 authent...

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 bu...

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...

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 technici...

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 i...

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...

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 scholar...

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 mist...

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,...

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 si...

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 evolv...

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...

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 experi...

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 techno...

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...

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 isla...

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...

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...

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 ta...

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...

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 simul...

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...