Our educational games cover topics from sepsis to safeguarding and are being used in hospitals, care homes, schools and universities all over the world to improve staff training and development. But did you realise that most of them were invented at the frontline, by someone just like you?
Since 2004 we’ve developed over 60 games that cover subjects from team performance to infection control. We are incredibly fortunate because many of these games were invented by frontline staff who asked us to develop and refine them for a wider audience. Practitioners, educators and academics come to us with games they’ve developed at their kitchen table, or with ideas for games, and we then help them to create a professional product. We then sell those games and share the profit with the inventors (usually the individual’s employer). Our games get lots of attention in the press including Nursing Times, British Journal of Nursing and HSJ which means that you and your organisation will be recognised as innovators in training and improvement.
Most of our partners have never developed a game before and they tell us it’s an exciting and enjoyable process. We’ve developed an effective process for working with partners that ensures developing the game doesn’t interfere with their day job. Our partners tell us it’s a real thrill when the first copy of their game is delivered. It’s even more satisfying when positive feedback begins to arrive from colleagues who are using their game.
If you now feel inspired to share a game with us, or the idea for a game, please get in touch and we’ll be delighted to discuss it with you. Here are some individuals who’ve worked with us to develop a game:
Rhiannon Eley and Lucy Tyler: The Priorities Game
The Priorities Game was developed in collaboration with Clinical Teachers Rhiannon Eley and Lucy Tyler from Kings College London. Rhiannon and Lucy are adult nurses who have mentored and facilitated learning throughout their nursing careers and continue to support student learning in their role as Clinical Teachers.
“We developed this board game as we have found that students often lack the confidence and opportunity to practice and reflect upon skills like prioritisation and decision making in a busy clinical environment but are expected to qualify with these skills. We hope that through learning about and developing these skills in a fun way, it is assisting nurses of the future to be safe and effective practitioners.”
Gill Hart: The Renal Game
The Renal Game was created by Gill Hart, Clinical Nurse Educator at The Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Gill has been using the game with student and qualified nurses for over 3 years.
“As a trust we actively encourage our staff to come forward with innovative ideas on how to improve our service, and the Renal Game is a perfect example of this. It will certainly help our students and staff to engage in training, and hopefully it will become a vital addition to learning in other healthcare organisations throughout the UK.” Maurya Cushlow, Executive Chief Nurse at The Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Gareth Pierce Jones: Game of Stools
Gareth is an Infection Prevention and Control nurse at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB). Gareth is passionate about using non-traditional teaching methods to help healthcare professionals to learn, and both he and BCUHB have a zero-tolerance approach to avoidable infection. Gareth created Game of Stools to educate staff about C. difficile in a fun, alternative way.
“I played the game and I have to say it was brilliant fun and very educational. I recommend everybody takes on the challenge.” Gary Doherty, Chief Executive at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.
Joan Pons Laplana: Flu Bee Game
When Joan was Transformation Nurse at James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust he suggested that we should develop a simple myth busting digital game to persuade staff to get the seasonal flu vaccination. With Joan we created Flu Bee Game and it has now been used by over 30 NHS trusts to help increase uptake of the seasonal flu vaccination among staff members.
"Strangely addictive. A great way to learn facts about flu." Emergency Department Clinical Lead.