Celebrating 5 years of NHS Scotland Academy
NHS Scotland Academy is celebrating 5 years of helping strengthen Scotland’s healthcare workforce through education, training and professional development.
To mark the milestone, we were delighted to welcome Health Secretary Angela Constance to the Academy at NHS Golden Jubilee.
During the visit, the Cabinet Secretary toured the Academy’s Skills and Simulation centre, met teams delivering national programmes and saw first-hand how education and training are helping to build skills and capacity across NHS Scotland.
Over the past 5 years, the Academy has delivered significant benefits for staff, services and patients. The National Endoscopy Training Programme has provided more than 1,150 training opportunities, while the National Ultrasound Training Programme has delivered more than 29,000 ultrasound examinations for over 24,000 patients. Through the Surgical First Assistant workforce has helped grow Scotland’s workforce from 19 to 47 practitioners.
Read more about 5 years of NHS Scotland Academy
Chief Nursing Officer visits NHS Scotland Academy
In September we welcomed Scotland’s Chief Nursing Officer, Professor Aisha Holloway, and Interim Deputy Chief Nursing Officer, Claire Pearce, to NHS Scotland Academy.
The visit was an opportunity to showcase the Academy's national education and workforce development programmes, including endoscopy and ultrasound, and demonstrate how innovative training is helping develop Scotland’s healthcare workforce.
Following the visit, Professor Holloway praised the colleagues she met and the education and innovation being delivered at the Academy. Saying,“The excellence I observed and the positive culture were palpable. I met so many committed and innovative colleagues.”
Inspiring the next generation at NHS Golden Jubilee
NHS Scotland Academy teams returned to NHS Golden Jubilee's annual School Careers Information Evening, welcoming pupils and their families to the Skills and Simulation Centre.
Visitors had the opportunity to explore realistic learning environments, see how simulation supports healthcare training and learn more about the wide range of career opportunities available across NHS Scotland.
Colleagues from the National Endoscopy Training Programme were also on hand to showcase endoscopy training and give visitors an insight into this specialist area of healthcare education.
Thank you to everyone who helped inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals.
Find out more about the Skills and Simulation Centre
Supporting young people to explore healthcare careers
We recently welcomed a group of young people from The King’s Trust to NHS Golden Jubilee as part of our ongoing work to inspire the next generation of NHS professionals.
During their visit, the group toured NHS Golden Jubilee and took part in hands-on activities in the Skills and Simulation Centre, including gowning, hand hygiene and the Laparoscopic Olympics.
The activities provided an opportunity to experience aspects of clinical practice and learn more about the wide variety of roles that make up Scotland’s health and care workforce.
It was fantastic to continue our work with The King’s Trust, supporting young people to gain valuable insight into healthcare careers and the opportunities available across NHS Scotland.
Building ultrasound skills in obstetrics and gynaecology
In September, NHS Scotland Academy delivered The Fundamentals of Ultrasound Scanning in Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Sexual and Reproductive Health for Resident Doctors as part of the National Ultrasound Training Programme.
The dedicated training day supported ST2 to ST4 resident doctors in Gynaecology and Sexual and Reproductive Health to build confidence and develop their practical ultrasound scanning skills.
The session covered key areas including image optimisation, early pregnancy scanning, assessment of the uterus and adnexa, and intrauterine devices and contraceptive implants.
Through hands-on learning and support from experienced faculty, participants had the opportunity to strengthen skills that can be applied directly within clinical practice.
The training day is another example of how the National Ultrasound Training Programme is supporting healthcare professionals to develop specialist ultrasound skills while helping strengthen diagnostic capacity across NHS Scotland.
Sharing our work at the Scottish Simulation SIMPosium
NHS Scotland Academy colleagues recently attended the Scottish Simulation SIMPosium 2026 at the University of the West of Scotland.
Danielle McIsaac, Susan Archibald and Jennifer Mather shared poster presentations showcasing work to support education, workforce development and simulation-based learning across Scotland.
Events such as SIMPosium provide an opportunity to share learning, collaborate with colleagues and highlight the role simulation can play in developing a skilled and confident healthcare workforce.
Well done to Danielle, Susan and Jennifer for showcasing their work and also to the simulation team for representing the NHS Scotland Academy at the event.
Programmes recruiting now
Accelerated Anaesthetic Practitioner Programme
Spaces are available for the next Accelerated Anaesthetic Practitioner Programme, beginning on 18 January 2027.
Developed in collaboration with NHS Boards across Scotland, this fully funded programme supports registered nurses preparing for the role of Anaesthetic Practitioner.
The 26-week programme includes:
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8 workshop days at the NHS Scotland Academy Skills and Simulation Centre
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high-fidelity simulation and blended learning
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training in areas including emergencies, airway management, obstetrics, paediatrics and remote and isolated anaesthesia
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support from a multi-professional perioperative faculty.
Applications must be submitted by NHS Boards on behalf of learners. Individuals cannot apply directly: please speak to your service manager if you are interested in the programme.
Foundations of Perioperative Practice
Spaces are also available for the next Foundations of Perioperative Practice Programme, beginning on 18 January 2027.
Designed for Band 5 registered nurses who are new to the perioperative environment, the fully funded 31-week programme combines online learning with immersive face-to-face training and simulation.
Learners will develop knowledge and skills across areas including surgical scrub practice, surgical instrument familiarisation, human factors, perioperative law and ethics, and different surgical specialties.
Applications must be submitted by NHS Boards on behalf of learners. Individuals cannot apply directly.
National Ultrasound Training Programme masterclasses
The latest series of National Ultrasound Training Programme masterclasses is now underway, with the Renal Transplant Ultrasound session taking place on 30 September, followed by Advanced Gynaecology Ultrasound on 8 October.
Led by senior clinicians, the masterclasses give learners the opportunity to build their knowledge of more advanced and complex ultrasound cases and consider how this learning can be applied in practice.
Upcoming sessions currently listed are:
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Hernia Ultrasound: 28 October 2026
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Liver Ultrasound: 30 October 2026
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Gynaecology Ultrasound: 5 November
These sessions are currently fully booked, but you can still apply for a place on the waiting list.
Join the waiting list:
National Ear Care Programme
Applications are now open for the 2027 to 2028 cohorts of the National Ear Care (Microsuction) Train the Trainer Programme.
The programme supports registered adult nurses to develop advanced clinical and training skills in microsuction ear care, helping to improve access to safe and effective ear wax removal services across Scotland.
Delivered through a hybrid learning model over 13 weeks, participants will gain 20 SCQF Level 10 credits on successful completion.
Upcoming cohorts
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NHS Golden Jubilee for the West and Central region: 1 February, 17 May and 30 August 2027
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The Suttie Centre, University of Aberdeen for the North region: 1 March, 14 June and 20 September 2027
Learners must meet the programme eligibility criteria and have support from their Line Manager or Service Manager.
Interested in applying?
For eligibility criteria, application deadlines and further information, contact nhsscotlandacademy@nhs.scot.
Find out more at the link below: