The eWARD project is an on-line care training system based on a virtual hospital ward. It provides case based training for nurses and healthcare workers who will become more familiar with Information Communications Technology whilst developing transferable skills such as decision making and problem solving.

Each eWARD scenario focuses on a patient's care needs, which may change several times during the programme, reinforcing the development of the student's core fundamental nursing skills.

Following their recent success at winning a Welsh Language in Healthcare Award for their first Welsh medium eWARD scenario, organised by the Welsh Language Unit of the Department of Health and Social Services at the Welsh Assembly Government, the team are now proud to launch their second Welsh medium scenario at the National Eisteddfod of Wales.

The team from the School of Health Science, including Mike Tait, Carwen Earles, Fran Thornton and Mary Paget, believe that their eWard project benefits Welsh speaking patients as it creates confidence in students’ ability to deliver care within the Welsh language.

Carwen Earles said: “After receiving funding from the Centre for Welsh Medium Higher Education, we used eWard to develop extra Welsh medium learning opportunities in order to support our Welsh speaking students.

“Over the past year School of Health Science lecturers, e-learning staff, NHS Trust colleagues and students have collaborated to develop these Welsh eWard scenarios.”

Dr Dafydd Trystan, Development Manager for the Centre of Welsh Medium Teaching in Higher Education, said: “I am very pleased that we have been able to support the development of this innovative resource for nursing students.

“The development of Welsh Medium nursing education is a crucial part of our programme for the academic development of a wide range of Higher Education subjects in Welsh.”

“We are delighted to have received national recognition for the excellent work the team has done for the benefit of our students and are looking forward to launch the new scenario at the National Eisteddfod of Wales,” added Carwen Earles.

For further information about the School of Health Science at Swansea University visit the School's website.