Learning within Reach

Staff and students at University Hospital are benefiting from the same technology that made the film Avatar a global blockbuster. The Trust has invested in 18,000 pounds of 3D equipment that allows trainers and lecturers to show the class various interactive images, like a heart beating. The images can be rotated from different angles allowing staff and students to get a real insight into the human body.

Andrew Plowright, 14 - 19 careers team administrator, believes this type of technology can really help staff and student training. He said: "It works on the same technology as mainstream cinemas by using a polarising system with two projectors. The trainer can then zoom into the image and rotate it, all seemingly in touching distance of the class. Its quite amusing to see a classroom full of people wearing 3D glasses but this is the real deal as far as 3D technology is concerned and I’m delighted we are able to use it at the hospital."

Andrew now wants the Trust to be able to film 3D videos so even more staff can benefit from the technology. He said: "We get everybody from school children to our professional head of nursing team coming to the skills academy and they really enjoy the learning experience of 3D. It's great to see the excitement on the faces of the children when the 3D images are coming towards them and know they are enjoying learning. The cameras came with the equipment so we now have to identify what types of film to make, though I think it’s safe to say we won’t be challenging for Oscars just yet."

Mike Brereton, Trust Chairman, said: "As a Trust it is important we must present training opportunities using media of a quality that people, especially young people, expect. Holograms have been around for a very long time but the technology we have invested in is state-of-the-art 3D technology. We expect the training and education sector to follow this line of development in the future. I think it is important these opportunities are available to staff and students in North Staffordshire."

For further information or assistance please contact Sue Pantin, Communications Manager, on 01782 555400 or Andrew Ashcroft, Communications Manager, on 01782 555061.