Darlington College transforms healthcare training with AI

Students can now train in a newly created on-campus ‘Healthcare Hub’ that replicates hospital wards, nursing homes, and GP surgeries.

The immersive mannequins also give students valuable hands-on experiences as they are designed to emulate lots of different scenarios.

These innovations are part of a major investment from the local skills improvement funding, a government-run scheme which helps get further education students with more valuable equipment and training.

The new ward in Darlington College was opened with the ceremonial ribbing cutting by Darlington Mayor Councillor Bob Donoghue and his wife and Mayoress Mags Donoghue.

Mayor of Darlington Bob Donoghue and his wife Mags Donoghue cutting the ribbon to mark the opening of Darlington College’s Healthcare Hub (Image: Darlington College) The AI mannequins, which simulate diverse patients from an elderly individual to a clinically obese adult, tattooed teenager, and even a baby, interact with students to develop their skills in patient care before they enter real-world healthcare roles.

Two Darlington College T-level healthcare students with Darlington Mayor Councillor Bob Donoghue (front centre) at the opening of the Healthcare Hub (Image: Darlington College) Scarlet Wilson, a 16-year-old student at Darlington College who aspires to be a midwife or physiotherapist, said: “The AI mannequins are incredible, the way they interact with us is amazing, though they can be a bit rude.

“The course is really practical which helps you understand what you want to do. You are in an accurate setting and feel what it’s like”

Claire Heseltine, a 17-year-old Darlington College student who wants to be a paramedic or nurse, said: “It is so much more than a normal college course because it is so practical and I have learned so much, it’s amazing.

“The placements are valuable too as it is just as important to find out what you don’t want to do as it is to find out what you like.

“On the course, we learn the theory and are then able to put it into practice.”

The state-of-the-art mannequins help students practice crucial tasks such as taking vital signs, feeding patients, using hoists and wheelchairs, and managing person-centred care protocols.

The Healthcare hub mannequins and ward, designed to accurately demonstrate a real-life Hospital ward, nursing home or GP practice (Image: Darlington College) Students can even simulate complex scenarios, including blood collection and recognise signs of self-harm, helping them to grasp a deeper understanding of patient care.

T-level health and social care programme leader, Sarah Lloyd said: “These new facilities, complete with the AI mannequins, make teaching so much easier.

“In the past, I have been telling students ‘This is what it will be like’. Now they can experience it for themselves.”

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Beyond healthcare, Darlington College is also breaking ground in the AI department with a 360-degree immersive classroom and a virtual reality suite, enhancing learning across disciplines.

Installed by Animmersion UK, the hi-tech classroom uses projectors to screen images on all walls and the floor, which can help students immerse themselves fully into their lessons, where gaming students can step inside and test the games they have designed.

This blend of advanced AI and immersive technology cements Darlington College’s reputation as a leader in education innovation, preparing students with the skills and confidence to excel in their future careers.