Great Western Hospital Academy celebrates 20 years of supporting healthcare education and training

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s Academy has marked its 20th anniversary with a special open day, bringing together local community representatives, healthcare leaders and colleagues to celebrate two decades of education, training and professional development.

Since its official naming in October 2006, the Academy has played a vital role in developing the healthcare workforce across Swindon and Wiltshire, supporting thousands of staff, students and learners through training, simulation, recruitment and career development opportunities.

To celebrate the milestone, the Academy welcomed the Mayor of Swindon, members of the Trust Board, staff and partners for a day of activities, information stalls and networking, showcasing the breadth of work delivered by the Academy over the past two decades. 

The Academy supports a wide range of initiatives designed to equip healthcare professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to deliver outstanding patient care. This includes the induction and education of resident doctors, clinical skills training, medical simulation exercises, work experience placements for local young people, equality, diversity and inclusion events, and wellbeing and learning resources for staff.

Over the years, the Academy has also helped inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals through careers events, T-Level placements and work experience opportunities, giving young people valuable insight into careers within the NHS.

As part of the anniversary celebrations, visitors learned more about the impact of the Academy's work over the last five years, including:

• Around 1,300 resident doctors taking up rotational training posts at the Trust
• Over 6,000 clinical skills and training courses delivered
• 2,500 staff completing Oliver McGowan training, helping healthcare professionals better understand and support patients with additional needs
• Over 420 students undertaking work experience placements
• Over 4,700 medical emergency calls responded to by specialist teams involved in training and education

The Academy's influence also extends beyond Swindon and Wiltshire, with Clinical Teaching Fellows regularly sharing their skills and expertise internationally. Teams have travelled overseas to deliver life-saving medical training and support healthcare development in communities with limited access to care.

Angus Waddell, Academy Dean and Consultant Ear, Nose and Throat Surgeon, said: “For 20 years, the Academy has been at the heart of learning and development at Great Western Hospital, supporting staff at every stage of their careers and helping ensure our patients receive the highest quality care.

"It was a privilege to join staff and partners in celebrating this significant milestone and to reflect on the remarkable contribution the Academy has made to healthcare education in our community."

Reflecting on its achievements and looking ahead to the future, the Academy remains committed to supporting innovation, education and workforce development, ensuring healthcare professionals continue to have access to high-quality training and learning opportunities for years to come.