One year on: Skills and Simulation Centre
This summer marks 1 year since the NHS Scotland Academy Skills and Simulation Centre opened its doors to learners. In that time, the facility has delivered hundreds of training sessions and accelerated education for clinical staff across Scotland.
With a focus on immersive, hands-on learning in a high-fidelity hospital environment, the centre continues to support rapid workforce development - including the National Ultrasound Training Programme (NUTP), Anaesthetic Assistant Practitioner training, and our impactful Accelerated Programmes.
Check out more at our website.
Ultrasound training delivers real patient impact
A national training programme in ultrasound scanning is transforming diagnostic care across NHS Scotland.
Since launching in 2022, the National Ultrasound Training Programme (NUTP) has supported more than 17,400 patient scans while equipping over 90 learners with the skills and confidence to deliver safe, effective care.
By placing learners in real clinical settings and combining immersive education with structured supervision, the programme is addressing workforce challenges and cutting waiting times.
Read the full story on our website.
National Ultrasound Training Programme Masterclasses: Advanced, immersive and interprofessional
A new series of National Ultrasound Training Programme Masterclasses are now available at NHS Golden Jubilee - offering free, in-person training for healthcare professionals across a range of specialist ultrasound topics.
Delivered by the NHS Scotland Academy, these one-day masterclasses are open to sonographers, trainee sonographers, radiology trainees, and other relevant clinical staff depending on the session.
Whether you’re looking to refresh core skills or learn about new areas of practice, each session combines expert-led teaching with practical learning and peer discussion.
All sessions are free to attend and will take place at NHS Golden Jubilee.
Interprofessional Learning Week: Collaboration in action
We were proud to host a dedicated Interprofessional Learning Week at the NHS Scotland Academy, bringing together learners from across nursing, podiatry, radiography, physiotherapy and more.
The week focused on shared learning, reflective practice, and strengthening team-based care. Learners had the opportunity to:
- Exchange experiences and insights from their different clinical backgrounds
- Strengthen collaborative working and communication
- Gain practical, hands-on experience in a supportive training environment
- Reflect on their personal and professional development
One learner taking part was Charlie, a fourth-year diagnostic imaging student from Glasgow Caledonian University, who joined the ultrasound simulation day. She reflected on how the experience exceeded her expectations:
"Ultrasound experience at university is mostly observational, so it was great to get hands-on today. I was able to practice using the probe on real patients, with guidance from a sonographer, and scan areas like the kidneys and bladder. That level of practical experience really helped build my confidence
“I learned a lot about how to hold and move the probe, and how to interpret what I was seeing on screen. Having someone explain the images made everything much clearer."
Watch our video reflections from learners and staff now on the NHS Scotland Academy YouTube channel.
NHS Scotland Event 2025
We were delighted to attend the NHS Scotland Event 2025, where the NHS Scotland Academy presented a poster titled: “A good news story: Quality of colonoscopy services in NHS Scotland.”
The poster highlighted the impact of the National Endoscopy Training Programme (NETP) in raising standards of colonoscopy across Scotland through standardised training, skills development, and performance improvement.
Key highlights included:
- A reduction in post-colonoscopy cancer rates across Scotland
- Improved national performance in key quality indicators such as caecal intubation and polyp detection rates
- Over 200 endoscopists upskilled using NETP’s structured training and feedback model
By showcasing how collaborative, consistent training can improve outcomes for patients, the poster demonstrated how the Academy is helping to build a more confident, capable workforce across NHS Scotland.
Thank you to everyone who stopped by to learn more!
Upcoming Programmes
National Endoscopy Training Programme
- National Foundations of Endoscopy Practice Programme - This interprofessional learning programme for Registered Nurses new to endoscopy practice is integrated with the Assistant Practitioner Programme, building on teamwork, collaboration and non-technical skills development within endoscopy. This educational programme aligns with the JAG Endoscopy Training Scheme (JETS) Endo 1 competencies that are mandated by JAG for all nursing staff working in accredited endoscopy units. Registration for this programme is now open! The next cohort will start on Wednesday 1 October 2025. To register your place, email nhsscotlandacademy@nhs.scot
Biomedical Science Registration Training Portfolio Programme
- The next cohort for this programme will begin on Tuesday 8 October. To apply, email nhsscotlandacademy@nhs.scot