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IntroductionThe SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has posed extraordinary pressures on individuals, teams and organisations It has also considerably impacted on simulation training Initially by enhancing its role in promoting clinical preparedness, learning new drills and upskilling redeployed staff Later because of its potential to contribute to viral transmission, which has mandated new considerations regarding how we deliver simulation safely now and in the foreseeable future 1 Lastly by accentuating a trend towards virtual means of collaborating, teaching and learning 2Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) was created in 2018 as a Special Health Authority, which sits alongside health boards as part of NHS Wales One of its key priorities is to facilitate the consolidation of the Welsh Simulation Network (WSN) and the delivery of high standard simulation education in Wales MethodsHEIW has established an expert simulation education team this summer All interviews and meetings have been carried out virtually As a consequence, this new team is defining a new simulation strategy, governance structures and portfolios as well as identifying ways to revitalise the Welsh network without being able to meet in person We cannot underestimate the impact of developing a team virtually rather than through physical encounters As simulation educators we often rely on subtle non-verbal cues and eye contact to facilitate constructive communication and individual engagement Trying to communicate effectively with new colleagues as well as learning to use all the new resources at our disposal has constituted a challenge but has provided us with new opportunities ResultsWe aim to identify positive elements to build on, in order to exemplify a culture of positivity:Virtual meetings have offered an accessible forum regardless of geographical location, particularly relevant in Wales, as our hospital sites can be distant with poor road infrastructure (4 5 hours car travel) A wider application of this principle is guiding the establishment of new opportunities for all in the WSN Numerous examples of good simulation practice have arisen since March, with all Welsh health boards drawing on simulation training sessions in readiness for crises Celebrating excellence will be key in building the way forward together DiscussionWhilst this pandemic has inflicted a great deal of stress on clinical and educational personnel, it has also highlighted the adaptability, resilience and vocation of our colleagues Identifying successes will contribute to overcoming current and future hurdles, as we delineate a new way for safe, accessible, high-standard simulation education in Wales 3 4Reference1 Ingrassia PL, Capogna G, Diaz-Navarro C, et al COVID-19 crisis, safe reopening of simulation centres and the new normal: food for thought Adv Simul 2020;5(13) https://doi org/10 1186/s41077-020-00131-32 Cheng A, Kolbe M Grant V, et al A practical guide to virtual debriefings: communities of inquiry perspective Adv Simul 2020;5(18) https://doi org/10 1186/s41077-020-00141-13 Dieckmann P, Patterson M, Lahlou S, et al Variation and adaptation: learning from success in patient safety-oriented simulation training Adv Simul 2017;2(21) https://doi org/10 1186/s41077-017-0054-14 Fields J, Kenny NA, Mueller RA Conceptualizing educational leadership in an academic development program International Journal for Academic Development 2019;24(3)DOI: 10 1080/1360144X 2019 1570211
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