Medical Education and Simulation Hub (MESH)

Medical Education and Simulation Hub (MESH)

We provide exceptional placements and education for medical students and doctors. Our aim is to help our learners to become well-prepared and well-rounded clinicians. We’re passionate about simulation, educational research, innovation, wellbeing, and faculty development.

About the service

Welcome to MESH at Mid Yorkshire!

We are an enthusiastic, dynamic and growing team of clinicians, clinical teachers and supporting staff, with a wide breadth of experience. Our job is to ensure that medical students and doctors are educated, trained, and motivated to play their part in a first class, modern health service. Through education we aim to improve the quality of patient care.

We are well recognised within the region as a centre for educational excellence. We receive excellent feedback regarding our undergraduate teaching, making MYTT one of the most popular student placements in the Yorkshire region.

We have been awarded a great number of Clinical Teaching Excellence Awards from Leeds Medical School in recognition of this.

The wide and expanding range of our educational activities includes:

  • STR1DE: Our unique, innovative FY1 teaching programme – Simulation, Teaching and Reflection for FY1 Development & Education. Taught entirely by near-peer education fellows, STR1DE involves full-day teaching of the core FY1 curriculum, simulation, prescribing, leadership, and development of teaching skills.
  • STR2DE: Our FY2 teaching programme combining clinical knowledge and educational content with post FY2 career planning
  • IMPRES5: Our innovative, progressive 8 week teaching programme for Y5 medical students, including case based learning, diagnostic teaching and simulation. 
  • Y1-4 Medical Student teaching: Various skills, simulation, and bedside teaching programmes appropriate to the students’ level and current placement.
  • Practice OSCEs: High fidelity mock clinical examinations for Y3-5 medical students.

Our close-knit team at MESH is made up of professionals from a variety of medical and non-medical backgrounds.

The team is led by:

  • Dr Khodabocus, Director of Medical Education
  • Dr Kehlenbeck, Deputy Director
  • Dr Murphy, Undergraduate Lead
  • Kelly Heckingbottom-Plunkett, Matron
  • Sarah Lane, Manager
Every year, we hire a team of Clinical Fellows in Education and Simulation. These posts are specifically designed for doctors who are looking to take a 12-month break from their training, after successfully completing their FY2 year.

These are 12-month posts which being in August, and average 3 days per week over the year. However, most days are worked during medical student term times, with more time off over the Christmas, Easter and Summer periods.

Our Clinical Fellows are involved in teaching undergraduate medical students of all levels, as well as FY1 and FY2 doctors in our STR1DE and STR2DE programmes. They receive close mentoring and support to develop as teachers and have opportunities to add to and improve existing educational programmes.

What should I do if I want to be a Clinical Fellow? 
The Clinical Fellow jobs are advertised on the NHS Jobs website, usually in January. You can set up an alert on the NHS Jobs website which will email you when the job advert goes up.

This is a competitive application process for the clinical fellow roles and we often get asked how to make a competitive application. Our advice would be to evidence a range of teaching experience and to sell yourself on the application.

If you’re interested in being a Clinical Fellow, one of the best ways to find out more about the role is to come along to one of our teaching opportunities where you can meet current clinical fellows and get involved in teaching. Opportunities include:
  • Clinical skills teaching
  • Paediatric medical student teaching 
  • Our flagship Y5 teaching programme - IMPRES5
  • Practice OSCE examining 
  • Post-finals assistantship on-call simulation – FOCUS
The department will also be hosting drop in evening events, to find out more about the role and to meet the team, our next planned dates will be added to this page.  

If you have an idea or project idea relating to undergraduate medical education but are looking for some guidance or support then please get in touch with the team via midyorks.undergradmededucation@nhs.net

Below you can find information about the courses we run at MESH. These are available for healthcare professionals to book onto:

Central Line Insertion

Cost - £100

Audience – CT1 – ST5

This course is only available to trainees within the Yorkshire and Humber region, who should book through MaxCourse.

A half-day course to teach theoretical and practical skills for the insertion of a jugular central line, using ultrasound guidance.

Delegates will be shown a video and presentation at the beginning of the course. Using a manikin there will be a demonstration of inserting a central line with ultrasound guidance before candidates are allowed to practice the complete procedures.

This course is taught by Mr M Wright, Advanced Critical Care Practitioner.

Located at the Trust Headquarters and Education Centre, Pinderfields Hospital. 

Chest Drain Insertion

Cost - £100

Audience – FY2 - Consultant

This course is only available to trainees within the Yorkshire and Humber region, who should book through MaxCourse.

A half-day course to teach theoretical and practical skills for the safe insertion of Seldinger chest drains.

The course includes a lecture and video demonstration of correct drain insertion before candidates are allowed to practice the complete procedure including full asepsis, drain insertion and drain fixation. The emphasis of the course is placed around small group practical sessions in which models are used.

This course is taught by Dr J Hogg, Consultant in Acute & Respiratory Medicine.

Located at the Trust Headquarters and Education Centre, Pinderfields Hospital. 

FUSIC: Focused Ultrasound in Intensive Care

Cost - £160

Audience – FY2-Consultant + ANP

This course is aimed at satisfying the requirements for the mandatory FUSIC accreditation course and is currently taught by Mr B Sloan, Consultant in Intensive Care. Please contact us if you’d like to learn more about this course and its convenors.

Located at the Trust Headquarters and Education Centre, Pinderfields Hospital. 

ICM Careers Evening

Cost – free

Audience – FY2-Consultant

The ICM Careers Evening is a free event for trainees considering a career in Intensive Care Medicine.

An evening event hosted by Dr H Buglass, Consultant in Critical Care & Anaesthesia and Dr R Sandu, Consultant in Intensive Care Medicine, to give an idea of the application and recruitment processes for Intensive Care Medicine training.

Located at the Trust Headquarters and Education Centre, Pinderfields Hospital. 

Lumbar Puncture and Paracentesis

Cost - £100

Audience – FY2-Consultant

This course is only available to trainees within the Yorkshire and Humber region, who should book through MaxCourse.

A half-day course to teach the theoretical and practical skills for performing diagnostic paracentesis and lumbar puncture.

The course includes lectures and practical demonstrations of both diagnostic paracentesis and lumbar puncture. Candidates then have the opportunity to practice the procedures in a small group environment. Finally, the skill is formally assessed in a suitable format to generate a simulated direct observation of practical skills assessment (DOPS).

Taught by Dr S Cheema, Consultant in Acute Medicine. Please contact us to learn more about the course and course convenors.

Located at the Trust Headquarters and Education Centre, Pinderfields Hospital. 

Obstetric Anaesthesia Crisis Resource Management

Cost - £150

Audience – CT1-Consultant

This course is based around a series of realistic simulated scenarios using high-fidelity manikins. Considerable emphasis is placed on reviewing and improving non-technical skills.

A full day course based in our Simulation Suites where Anaesthetics staff go through a range of Emergency Obstetric scenarios, with emphasis on human factors including common and uncommon situations. Feedback is provided after each with presentations on a variety of topics.

CPD MATRIX

  • 2A01: Advanced airway management.
  • 2B02: General anaesthesia for elective and emergency LSCS.
  • 2B04: Regional anaesthesia complications in the pregnant patient.
  • 2B05: Management of obstetric emergencies.
  • 2B06: Assessment of the critically ill parturient.

This course is taught by Ms N Syed, Consultant in Anaesthesia and is located at the Trust Headquarters and Education Centre, Pinderfields Hospital. 

We are proud to have a range of high-quality simulation facilities across Mid Yorkshire. Every course and event is supported by experienced admin and technical staff, all simulations are run seamlessly and are of a high quality.

Simulation Suite 1 & 2, Pinderfields Hospital 
This suite houses our SimMan3G high fidelity patient manikin, along with kit and equipment which creates a simulated ward environment. There is also an anaesthetic machine and cylinder storage to enable this room to be converted into a simulated theatre environment. Fixed and mobile SMOTS cameras are installed, allowing remote viewing from the adjourning room. 

Simulation Suite 3, Pinderfields Hospital 
This suite hosts a series of procedural simulators which are useful across a range of specialities, including:

  • Anaesthetics/ICM
  • BronchMentor – bronchoscopy simulator
  • ORSIM – a smaller portable bronchoscopy simulator with high definition graphics
  • Obstetrics & Gynaecology
  • HystSIM – scoping simulator focusing on hysteroscopy
  • LAP mentor – an all round laparoscopy simulator which includes basic tasks and advanced gynaecological procedures
  • Medaphor ScanTrainer – an advanced ultrasound simulator, with a virtual tutor for transabdominal and transvaginal scanning
  • Urology
  • Green Light Laser – simulates TURP through vapourisation
  • LAP mentor - an all round laparoscopy simulator which includes basic tasks and advanced urological procedures
  • URO mentor – multi scope simulator which simulates rigid and flexible cystoscopy and uretoscopy
  • TURP mentor – simulates TURP

Other:

  • ArthroMentor – simulates minimally invasic orthopaedic surgery (focus on knee and shoulder)
  • CAE Vimedix – advanced cardiorespiratory ultrasound simulator
  • GI Mentor – simulates endoscopy and gastroenterology procedures

Skills Lab 
The skills lab at Pinderfields Hospital provides space and equipment to train core skills such as venepuncture and cannulation, NG tube insertion, arterial puncture, bladder catheterisation, fundoscopy, and many more.

Oakwell Centre, Dewsbury and District Hospital 
The Oakwell Centre houses an advanced SimMan3G mannikin, as well as equipment. This is used frequently by the Clinical Fellows in their Y5, FY1, and FY2 teaching.

 

What our students say

MESH feedback 1

IMPRES5 has presented the best learning opportunities of all the placements I’ve had throughout medical school. The clinical fellows were all approachable, helpful and professional.” 

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We strongly believe in the value of educational research and innovation, and are constantly looking for opportunities to improve at MESH. Here you read about our most innovative teaching programmes, and find details of our research output.

About STR1DE and STR2DE

Stride1 logo

STR1DE – Simulation, Teaching, and Reflection for FY1 Development and Education – was introduced at Mid Yorkshire in 2021. In STR1DE, FY1s receive six full days of teaching per year, delivered by FY3 and FY4 education fellows. Compared to the old approach of hour-long weekly sessions, STR1DE makes it easier for FY1s to attend and concentrate, allows heavy usage of simulation, and allows the development of a positive relationship between the consistent, near-peer teaching faculty and the Trust’s FY1s. Feedback on STR1DE has been consistently excellent since 2021.

Each of the six STR1DE days have their own theme, these are:

  • Session 1 – Surviving FY1
  • Session 2 – Surgical patients
  • Session 3 – Psychiatry in acute hospitals
  • Session 4 – Acute and critical care
  • Session 5 – The “SHO” role
  • Session 6 – Careers

Each day involves a 50/50 split between teaching (including case based discussions, small groups work, and skills) and simulation. There is also a heavy element of peer-to-peer teaching, and Crumbles and Grumbles group reflective discussion sessions.

STR1DE in 2021/22 was so successful that in 2022/23, we introduced a similar teaching programme for FY2s – STR2DE. STR2DE involves three full days of teaching, which aim to upskill the FY2s and provide some core teaching during the year.

About IMPRES5

IMPRES5 - Investigations, Management, PREscribing, and Simulation in Y5 – is our flagship teaching programme for final year medical students. The transition from final year medical student to FY1 can be challenging - IMPRES5 aims to bridge that gap via innovative, high-quality teaching.

Students attend a full day of IMPRES5 teaching on each of the eight weeks they are at placement at MYTT. Each day uses a variety of teaching techniques, including practical skills, case-based discussions, diagnostics workshops, and high-fidelity simulation.

Each week focuses on a theme which is highly relevant to clinical practice. They are:

Week 1 – Induction (simulation & clinical skills)

Week 2 – The breathless patient

Week 3 – The patient with chest pain

Week 4 – The patient with abdominal pain

Week 5 – The patient with reduced GCS

Week 6 – The patient with endocrine & MSK concerns 

Week 7 – Cardiac Arrest Week (Interprofessional Education with nursing students)

Week 8 - FY1 Prep Week

IMPRES5 receives excellent feedback from students. The overwhelming majority agree that it is useful, enjoyable, and helped them prepare for FY1.

IMPRES5 has presented the best learning opportunities of all the placements I’ve had throughout medical school. The clinical fellows were all approachable, helpful and professional.

Our team and team members have frequently been recognised for their high-quality educational work. Examples of awards won include:

  • 2025 Palliative Care Congress Best Oral Presentation (second prize) – Dr Abbie Festa
  • 2024 MEET UP Best Oral Presentation   – Dr Abbie Festa
  • 2023 ASME New Leaders’ Award   – Dr Joe Gleeson-Buddhdev
  • 2023 Leeds School of Medicine Excellent Longstanding Service Award for Undergraduate Clinical Education   – Fiona Coia
  • 2023 Clinical Teaching Excellence Award (Certificate of Merit) -Undergraduate medical education team
  • 2023 Foundation Sharing Event Best Oral Presentation (2nd place)   – Dr Hayley Boal and Dr Joe Gleeson
  • 2022 Clinical Teaching Excellence Award   – Clinical Fellows
  • 2021 Future Leaders Conference Best Poster  – Dr Joe Gleeson
  • 2021  Clinical Teaching Excellence Award (Certificate of Merit) – Clinical Fellows
  • 2020 Clinical Teaching Excellence Award – Clinical Fellows

National Education for Scotland (Online)

Oral Presentations

  • Rachel Anderson: Maternal health inequalities
  • Laura Clabon: Neuro escape room to address neurophobia

Posters

  • Laura Clabon: Neer-Peer Wellbeing Session: Equipping Final Year Medical Students to Deal with Stress and Burnout
  • Palliative Care Congress 2025 (Belfast)

Oral Presentations – Second Prize Winner

  • Abbie Festa: Climate Change, Palliative Care & The Future: Making the Connections in Undergraduate Education

Posters

  • Abbie Festa: Integrating Death & Dying into IMPRES5
  • Emily Bix: End Of Life CARE (Clinical Features, Assessment, Response and Emotions) for third year medical students

Palliative Undergraduate Medical Education Special Interest Forum 2025 (Cambridge)

Oral Presentations

  • Abbie Festa: Integrating Death & Dying into IMPRES5
  • Emily Bix: End Of Life CARE (Clinical Features, Assessment, Response and Emotions)

AMEE 2024 (Basel)

Short Communications

  • Abbie Festa: Antimicrobial Stewardship through Gamification
  • Abbey Boyle: Can gamification be utilised to tackle neurophobia in undergraduate medical students?

e-Posters

  • Ciara Dooner: ‘Referrals Bingo’ – Teaching referral skills through gamification
  • Kate Watson: Theme-spotting games as an alternative to ‘chunk and check’ in surgical teaching
  • Rachel Anderson: SHUSH – Gamifying Sexual Health Education
  • Noreen Akram: The Comic Chronicles - ENT Escapades 

ASME 2024 (Warwick)

Oral Presentations

  • Hannah Whelan: EYE-CONIC QUEST: Gamification in ophthalmology education
  • Abbie Festa: Antimicrobial Stewardship through Gamification
  • Abbie Festa: Why are all the mannequins male?
  • Kate Watson: Theme-spotting games for surgical teaching
  • Rachel Anderson: SHUSH – Gamification in Sexual Health
  • Ciara Dooner: ‘Referrals Bingo’
  • Abbey Boyle: Tackling neurophobia through gamification
  • Harry Mycroft: Gamification in pharmacology
  • Joe Gleeson: STR1DE – A novel approach to FY1 core teaching (New Leaders Award Winner)

Compact Presentations

  • Noreen Akram: ENT Escapades – Comic-based learning
  • Hayley Boal: STR2DE: Teaching programme for FY2 doctors
  • Hayley Boal: Speak Up Speak Out
  • Ash Wragg: Does interprofessional simulation reduce hierarchy barriers?

ASME 2023 (Birmingham)

Oral Presentations

Joe Gleeson: National audit of FY1 core teaching

Compact Presentations

  • Joe Gleeson: A Serious Game for Clinical Reasoning
  • Courtney Johnson: Interactive trauma day – Bumps, Breaks and Bruises
  • Eleanor Clarke: Paediatrics – Is it all fun and games?
  • Tom Sharp: Neurology simulation to address neurophobia
  • Eleanor Dodd: Speciality revision to improve confidence
  • Joe Thompson: Difficult Conversations and Legal Frameworks
  • Joe Thompson: Pecha Kucha
  • Becky Morris: FOCUS – Foundation On-Call Simulation
  • Becky Morris: Widening access to high-fidelity simulation

AMEE 2023 (Glasgow)

Oral Presentations

  • Courtney Johnson: Trauma day for final years
  • Hayley Boal: Careers support for foundation doctors
  • Leanne Lacey and Joe Thompson: Difficult Conversations and Legal Frameworks
  • Eleanor Clarke: Paediatric education: Fun and Games?

Stack Presentations

  • Ash Wragg: FY2 confidence in critical care management
  • Joe Gleeson: Supporting the transition to clinical practice
  • Eleanor Dodd: Speciality revision for final years
  • Joe Thompson: Addressing neurophobia via simulation

ePoster

  • Ian Todner: Are students prepared to be Antimicrobial Stewards?

Selected Other Conferences (2022–2023)

Medical Education Leaders Foundation

  • Joe Gleeson: National FY1 Core Teaching Audit
  • Hayley Boal and Joe Gleeson: STR1DE: Near-peer teaching

NHS Education for Scotland

  • Hayley Boal and Joe Gleeson: STR1DE: Near-peer teaching

Association of Anaesthetists

  • Ashley Wragg, Joe Gleeson, Tom Sharp: Tracheostomy emergency simulation

AMEE 2022 (Lyon)

Oral Presentations

  • Joe Gleeson: Ultrasound-Guided Cannulation Training
  • Hayley Boal: Wellbeing through reflective FY1 teaching
  • Sam Williamson: IMPRES5 – Themed teaching days post-COVID
  • Joe Thompson: Surgical simulation for FY1s

ASME 2022 (Aberdeen)

Oral Presentations

  • Joe Gleeson and Joe Thompson: STR1DE: FY1 teaching model
  • Joe Thompson: Neurology teaching for neurophobia

Compact Presentation

Joe Thompson: Critical care knowledge via near-peer teaching

Selected Other Conferences (2021–2022)

Association of Surgeons in GB & Ireland

  • Joe Thompson: Surgical simulation for FY1s
    European Academy of Neurology
  • Joe Thompson: Neurology teaching to address neurophobia Yorkshire Imagine & Interventional Radiology Symposium
  • Rebecca Morris: Ultrasound-Guided Cannulation for FY1s

Future Leaders Conference

  • Hayley Boal: IMPRES5 – Ad hoc to structured themed days
  • Joe Gleeson: STR1DE – Near-peer model

Academy of Medical Educators

  • Emma Jones: Education Fellows developing UG curriculum
  • Developing Excellence in Medical Education Conference
  • Joe Gleeson & Hayley Boal: STR1DE – Core FY1 teaching
  • Emma Jones: Physician Helper Role for Year 4 Students
  • Hayley Boal: IMPRES5 – Structured UG teaching response to COVID
  • Association for Simulated Practice in Healthcare
  • Hayley Boal: IMPRES5 – Themed teaching post-pandemic