The role of virtual reality in health and social care training

Where it all began 

My career in healthcare has taken me across England and Wales, spanning roles in care homes, community hospitals and within large, multi-site healthcare provider organisations in the NHS. Notably, I worked in Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, where I managed patient and staff safety and implemented training programmes. From the start, I recognised a recurring challenge: How do we provide consistent, high-quality training at scale, especially as frontline teams grapple with increasing workloads and ever-evolving clinical guidelines? 

Determined to address this issue, I pursued a master’s degree, dedicating my research to how immersive technology could bring healthcare education into the modern-day digital world. That research sparked the formation of Goggleminds. Soon after launching Goggleminds, we partnered with Oxford University Hospitals to create a first-of-its-kind VR airway training package, which is now used in institutions across the UK. This milestone proved the transformative potential of VR when done right, prompting us to branch out into other critical areas of clinical practise, from preventing avoidable harm in acute care settings, to refining frontline skills for long-term care.  

Pressures on Social Care 

Whilst the early focus was on nursing and medical specialities, we’ve always appreciated the importance of social care in the delivery of health services. Across Wales—and indeed globally—social care faces escalating pressures: staff shortages, ageing populations, and rising patient complexity. Yet, continuous professional development remains indispensable. The crux is how to deliver practical, effective training when resources are stretched thin. VR offers a compelling solution. It allows clinicians to learn through repeated, realistic scenarios without needing simulation labs or requiring extra travel. This active form of learning fosters, real-time decision making, procedural expertise, and communication – skills that are all critical for the social care workforce.  

VR Training for Real-World Delivery

Expanding on our social care module library, we’ve developed our scenario for social care. An integrated MDT dysphagia training solution currently piloting with care home staff in Bridgend. This VR Swallow Assessment Module brings dieticians, pharmacists, speech and language therapists, nurses, and care home staff together, to tackle shared challenges in dysphagia care. By bringing together health and social care professionals, it not only bridges the gap between theoretical learning and real-world practise, but also builds empathy and understanding among different roles, leading to a more holistic approach to patient support. 

One of the most distinctive features of this VR experience is how it immerses learners in a realistic care home environment. They’re introduced to a fictional resident named Hue, who displays potential swallowing difficulties following a referral. Throughout the module, learners engage with multiple healthcare professionals—such as dieticians, pharmacists and speech and language therapists—via a virtual laptop, closely mirroring real-world online meetings. This setup not only helps learners spot subtle signs of dysphagia in a safe, controlled space, but also fosters genuine collaboration by enabling them to discuss Hue’s case with colleagues, share insights, and receive immediate feedback on their decisions. 

By combining team-based learning with an interactive, scenario-driven design, the training module offers a sustainable and scalable platform that can be used across Wales—and beyond—to enhance both clinical competence and multi-disciplinary teamwork. Ultimately, this approach empowers professionals to deliver safer, more efficient care, while strengthening cooperation between health and social care services for improved patient outcomes. 

Looking Ahead 

Working alongside Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board and Bridgend Council, we’re also developing immersive VR training solutions for endoscopic procedures and fall prevention. These solutions are to enhance training accessibility, improve clinical skills, and support frontline health and social care professionals to meet the growing demands of their roles, and ultimately improving patient care.  

Through close collaboration with Welsh Health Boards, academic institutions, and partners like the UK Sepsis Trust and The Open University, we’ll continue to ensure Wales remains at the cutting edge of health and social care innovation. 

You can find out more about the VR project here. Or, to explore how VR training simulations can support your team or students, get in touch here.