Down's syndrome manikin 'upping hospital's game'

A manikin created to look like it has Down's syndrome is being used to train hospital staff.

Great Western Hospital, in Swindon, is using the child-sized manikin called Gwen to teach staff how to make adjustments for patients with Down's syndrome.

A sensory room has also opened in the hospital for autistic children to be helped away from the noise of the busy emergency department.

Consultant in paediatric emergency medicine Dr Phil Peacock said Gwen has "upped the game" for staff training.

Dr Peacock explained children with Down's syndrome have different features to those without the condition, such as having one line on their palm and a wide space between their first two toes.

He said recognising those features can help staff "change their medical management".

Sessions with Gwen will form part of regular training for all staff in emergency care.

Nurse manager Katie Rix said before Gwen manikins were "very wooden" and "not very realistic".

"With Gwen they can see a really lifelike child that actually represents what we've been talking to them about," she added.

Meanwhile, the hospital also opened a sensory room for autistic children in its children's emergency unit on 30 January.

Ms Rix said the room provides an environment where children who struggle with crowds or strange faces can feel comfortable.

"They need somewhere they can feel secure. Often you can come in and it's incredibly noisy," she said.

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