Regional Simulation Training courses

Simulation programme for Medical Specialty trainees in the UK, based in the Severn (South West) deanery

About

Simulation with Human Factors

GIM-Sim was initially created in Taunton (Musgrove Park Hospital) for Medical trainees about to become medical registrars. We have expanded this single coures into a 4 course series designed to provide simulation training requirements to all levels.

Courses have a focus on real-world application of human factors, directly relevant to the role learners are currently undertaking.

Courses now run for all trainees in the Severn deanery and aim wherever possible to be fully funded.

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Learners to date

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Years Running

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Recommendation

Simdesk

Our courses utilise the simdesk.net electronic patient record. This system allows learners to view patient notes, results, imaging and other tests in real time, both in the scenario and as an observer.

We receive consistent feedback that our resources using this tool enhance people's understanding of the scenario and therefore the learning they receive.

About

Courses

Our current programme

Course 1

For new IMT1 trainees, focuses on the expanding expectations, with likely emergency presentations and managing difficult situations with remote advice.

Deanery Funded (Severn)
August to October each year
Meets and exceeds IMT1 simulation training requirements
GIM-Sim: 1

Course 2

For IMT2, intended to prepare for your first year as a medical registrar.

A combination of clinical scenarios, human factors scenarios designed for the step up to the registrar rota. Aims to expands awareness of and ability to manage hospital logistics, delegation, remote advice and

Deanery Funded (Severn)
April-June each year, in time for step-up shifts
Our longest running course
GIM-Sim: 2

Course 3

For those with at least 16 months experience on a UK medical registrar rota, this course is completely focused on human factors in healthcare - posing ethical dillemas, interspecialty disagreements, complex decision making.

This course is highly rated and gives you the chance to explore ways your peers as senior doctors handle problems that you do in a variety of different ways

Free in your local hospital
November to February
IM Stage 2 Simulation with human factors training
GIM-Sim: 3

Course 4

New in 2026! For those in their final year of medical registrar, looking to step up to Consultant practice. Built from feedback and surveys of new and experienced Consultants in the South West region.

Dates pending!
GIM-Sim: 4

Signup / Course Dates

We aim to announce dates greater than 6 months in advance and open signups approximately 4 months in advance. You can fill out our form to get notified of course dates when we publish them

Open to Signups

Signup to GIM-Sim:1 (2026)

This course is current available for signup

1st Sept Southmead (Bristol)
4th Sept Musgrove Park (Taunton)
7th Oct BRI (Bristol)
13th Oct BRI (Bristol)
2026 dates are all above and available for signup
2027 dates not announced - expect courses August to October 2027
This course is funded by study budget (South West). Where possible we will claim directly
Sign Up (all courses)
Dates coming soon

GIM-Sim: 2 (2027)

GIM-Sim:2 runs March to June. We have completed the 2026 courses, but you can sign up to receive a notification when we announce new dates.

TBC Musgrove Park (Taunton)
TBC BRI (Bristol)
TBC Southmead (Bristol)
2026 dates are now all complete
2027 dates will be announced usually 6 months in advice
This course is funded by study budget (South West). Where possible we will claim directly
Get notified of Dates
Dates coming soon

GIM-Sim: 3 - Academic Year 2026/7

GIM-Sim:3 runs from November each academic year. You must have at least 16 months (FTE) on UK medical registrar rotas to attend this course.

TBC Musgrove Park (Taunton)
TBC BRI (Bristol)
TBC Southmead (Bristol)
TBC GWH (Swindon)
2026/7 dates will be announced soon!
We are hoping for this course to be funded by study budget soon
At present, we provide this course free to staff members of the hospital it is running in
Get notified of Dates
Pilot Course

GIM-Sim: 4

This course is being developed to first run in the 2026/2027 academic year. We have not yet announced dates. Learners in their final year needing simulation training (with human factors) can be considered on GIM-Sim:3 until dates are announced.

New Course Locations to be Announced
Get Notified of Dates

Frequently Asked Questions

01

How much does each course cost for Deanery trainees?

GIM-Sim:1 and 2 are funded by deanery study budget in the South West. We charge £300 to the deanery. If you are undertaking the course in your current trust, we will claim this directly from study budget funding. If you are understaking it in another trust in the region, you will need to claim the fee back


GIM-Sim:3 and 4 do not currently have an agreement for study budget. We expect this to change in the coming year. We therefore fund these courses for free if you are undertaking it in your current trust and do not accept external learners.

02

How much does each course cost for non-Deanery trainees?

We charge £350 for external learners coming on the course. You must be of the appropriate level of training to be eligible to join the course. Priority is given to deanery trainee places


We have some agreements with trusts for internal learners on official alternate competency pathways.

03

Who runs these courses?

The GIM-Sim programme is overseen by Kieran and Hannah. Kieran is an Intensive Care Registrar in the Severn region and Hannah is a Consultant in Geriatrics and General Medicine at Musgrove Park Hospital Taunton. We have been running the series since it's conception and are passionate about delivering the higest quality simulation education possible.


Course organizers are selected from our senior faculty. Faculty from the region include Consultants and Registrars in Medicine, Intensive Care, Anaesthesia and Emergency Medicine.

04

Who will be teaching?

Faculty are recruited from across the region and include Consultants and Registrars in Medicine, Intensive Care, Anaesthesia and Emergency Medicine. We have a higher proportion of faculty from General Medicine backgrounds, reflecting our learner group. The seniority of the faculty differs across our courses, with a higher proportion of Consultant presence in our senior courses.


We continue to expand our faculty training and are recently being joined by educators with simulation experience from Nursing and Paramedicine. We also receive significant help and support from simulation technicians and resident doctors with a passion for education.

05

Simulation makes me nervous, what are these courses like?

Our goal is to provide you with an educational opportunity that poses a realistic challenge, but not excessive pressure. Our simulations are designed and refined each year to ensure they are suitable by developers with years and years of simulation training experience in multiple settings. Some people find simulation anxiety provoking, which is natural - we continue to have a 100 percent recommendation from previous learners.


Our faculty receive training and supervision in line with ASPIH standards.

What our Learners say

Recent comments from our anonymous post-course feedback

Client

Thank you so much, probably the best sim sessions we’ve had in IMT

Client

Best sim course I’ve ever attended. Great scenarios and debriefs. Simdesk is a gamechanger

Client

It is the first time that I have really understood the applicability to my clinical practice now and in the future of being a med reg - the faculty delivering were so kind and lovely making a safe environment to learn in

Client

It must be incredibly hard to put together but totally paid off - thank you! I really enjoyed the debriefs and space to discuss with peers. Best teaching I’ve had in a long time and feel refreshed, thank you! Should be essential/deanery supported.

Client

Massive eye opener, and I now have more situational awareness

Client

Approachable team and relaxed learning environment

Client

I hope these sessions can be repeated annually for all new IMTs

Client

I was worried about the step up from F2 to IMT and this has helped me massively prepare

Contact

Contact Us

We welcome questions about our courses, our upcoming dates and enquires from educators in different regions.

Get in Touch

For Course Admin

course-queries@gim-sim.uk

Other Enquiries

info@gim-sim.uk