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Dr Martin Punter Speaking the same language: Communication during stroke Safe healthcare relies on good communication, especially when things are critical. Fast decisions, clear communication and confident teamwork can change the course of a person’s recovery – and, in some cases, their life. According to NZ’s Health and Disability Commissioner, communication failures contribute to patient harm, adverse events, and complaints. So, how can we tackle this challenge? This year, thanks to the generosity of Neurological Foundation supporters, healthcare professionals fromacross Aotearoa took part in the country’s first national simulation-based acute stroke education programme, the NewZealand Acute Stroke Simulation Course – and one of the organisers, neurologist Dr Martin Punter, says such training potentiallymakes a big impact. Over two intensive days atWellington Regional Hospital Simulation Centre, 27 doctors and nurses worked in multidisciplinary teams to practise managing realistic, time- critical stroke emergencies. Using high-fidelity simulation, participants strengthened both clinical skills – including stroke recognition, brain imaging interpretation, treatment decisions and telestroke consultations – and the communication, leadership and teamwork skills that help keep patients safe. For clinicians who may see stroke less often, or who are newer to stroke care, the course provided a safe place to build confidence before facing these complex situations with real patients and whānau. Martin says participants valued the realism of the scenarios, the expert facilitation and the chance to learn alongside colleagues from different regions and roles. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with over 80%of respondents giving the course a five-star rating. The impact is already reaching beyond the people in the room. Several attendees plan to introduce simulation-based stroke education in their own organisations, helping to grow local capability and strengthen stroke systems nationally. The course also builds on collaboration between theWellington Hospital Simulation and Skills Centre, the National Stroke Network and the New Zealand Association for Simulation in Healthcare. Martin says clinicians are now better prepared to deliver timely, skilled and compassionate stroke care – improving outcomes for people affected by stroke and their whānau across NZ. The New Zealand Acute Stroke Simulation Course in action. 33 32