Learn from experts in pharmacy-related subjects and drug development
In 2022, our two hi-tech pharmacy simulation suites were opened at Kingston University by healthcare pioneer Professor Dame Elizabeth Anionwu. The simulation suites consist of a mock hospital ward, pharmacy dispensing suite and GP surgery, and are equipped with the latest technology including patient simulator manikins that students can administer drugs to and monitor their pulse and breathing. These suites enable students to learn in a safe environment that simulates real-life healthcare settings.
The hospital ward features six beds with drug cabinets and curtains, a nurse's station and equipment that can be used to assess students' bedside manner and debrief them on best practice. The ward also leads into a pharmacy dispensing suite where students can practice prescribing the correct medication, and the right quantity, for certain illnesses. The GP suite has six cubicles for students to simulate seeing patients within a surgery environment, with desks and pedestals. Three of the bays have couches and the other three have chairs for patients to be examined.
Central to your learning is our pharmacy practice laboratory, designed to allow you to experience what it is like in a real pharmacy and finesse your skills before you start working in the health service. Based at our Penrhyn Road campus, the centre includes:
- 40 medicine-dispensing stations
- a pharmacy counter
- a consulting area
- computers connected to the Pharmacy Manager System (used in many local pharmacies).
You will practise your people skills and diagnostic skills through role plays, taking it in turns to play the patient. Other role plays include advising doctors (usually played by experienced tutors) on how to deal with prescribing errors and clinical problems. When dispensing prescriptions you will have to make all the same checks that you would make in a real pharmacy, including:
- analysing prescriptions to check they have been filled in correctly by doctors
- checking clinical issues such as how one medicine might interact with another
- advising pretend patients on how to take their prescriptions.
