Premature ‘Annies dolls’ enhance training

9 DECEMBER 2024

York & Scarborough Hospitals Charity has elevated neonatal resuscitation training by providing the funding for two advanced simulation dolls, affectionately named ‘Annie’ valued at £5,000.

These highly realistic premature infant simulators are being utilised by nurses and practitioners at York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, enhancing the training for clinical staff involved in newborn care.

The lifelike premature dolls are equipped with specialised training kits that replicate real-life neonatal scenarios, aiding a range of clinical staff from neonatal nurses to registered practitioners in Special Baby Care Units across York and Scarborough Hospitals.

These kits are designed to provide practitioners with hands-on experience which closely mirrors the care requirements of premature infants in their early developmental stages.

Each doll arrives with a comprehensive care kit, featuring a tiny hat, face masks, blankets, and even an umbilical arterial catheter. To enhance realism, the kits include simulated blood to prepare staff for actual scenarios. Designed to represent a 25-week gestational infant, the dolls are crafted to weigh just 800 grammes, offering a understanding of the challenges posed by caring for such tiny, vulnerable patients.

According to Kelly Dobbin, Neonatal Clinical Educator at York’s Special Baby Care Unit, the addition of these simulation dolls has significantly enriched the training environment. She said:

"The dolls have been an invaluable addition, creating a realistic training experience that enhances clinical learning. The physical differences between a preterm and a full-term infant are considerable, and these smaller simulators have proven invaluable in resuscitation training.”

Kelly oversees the training of 65 staff members responsible for the care of over 400 premature babies across North Yorkshire.

Looking to the future, Kelly expressed hope for further funding to acquire additional simulators representing various stages of infant development.  She said the dolls have also been used by Registrars and Allied Health Professionals (AHPs).

"The support from the charity has been phenomenal. These dolls are not just stored away; they’re an active tool for learning, used across hospital teams."

A passionate advocate for neonatal care, Kelly was instrumental in bringing the dolls into the training programme and works closely with families, offering support in breastfeeding, nutrition, and emotional guidance before discharge.

"Our team goes above and beyond; bonding with a premature baby can be challenging, and we work hard to empower families during this vulnerable time. I am deeply proud of the difference we make here. Any new learning tools, like the Annies, are incredibly beneficial for our staff and, ultimately, for the families we support."

Kelly expressed heartfelt gratitude to the York & Scarborough Hospitals Charity: "This incredible funding has brought us a unique training tool; she is the first of its kind on our unit and it’s already proving to be a tremendous success."