Education Minister welcomes new UHI clinical simulation facility

The University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) has opened a new clinical simulation suite in Inverness. Jamie Hepburn MSP, Minister for Higher Education and Further Education, Youth Employment and Training, attended the launch event which took place at the Centre for Health Science today (Tuesday 7 February.)

Mr Hepburn, who was joined by around 60 other invited guests, praised the new facility and the opportunities it offers to students, staff and public and private organisations.

The simulation suite is made up of two rooms which are designed to replicate hospital wards. Each room contains six hospital beds, medical observation systems and equipment. The facility offers live video streaming services to help students at other UHI campuses join in on the action and it can also be rented to public, private and third sector organisations.

Speaking at the opening event, Higher and Further Education Minister Jamie Hepburn said: “It has been great to see what this Clinical Simulation Suite will do to enhance the learning experience for undergraduate and post-graduate students at the university.

“UHI is clearly committed to supporting the growth of the healthcare workforce across the Highlands and Islands in serving communities across the region - priorities that the Scottish Government continues to support.

“The opening of this new suite provides a vital opportunity for us to further develop healthcare services both here and across the country.”

Dr Nicola Carey, Head of UHI’s Nursing and Midwifery Department, said: “The simulation suite is part of an ongoing programme of activity to enhance the quality of our education provision and student experience. The environment provides an opportunity for students to practice elements of real-world clinical care within a safe and controlled environment. It is critical to supporting learning and teaching within UHI as well as our ongoing commitment to serving remote, rural and island communities.”

Fiona Ross is one of the BSc nursing students who will benefit from the new simulation suite. She added: “As a third-year nursing student, I am very excited about the opening of the simulation suite at the Centre for Health Science. Training via simulation is a fantastic way to improve students’ confidence and to prepare us with realistic scenarios which are transferable to our placements and clinical practice. The suite is an integral part of my peer mentoring project and will allow students to really assimilate knowledge, consolidate learning and have hands on experiences.”

To find out more about the new clinical simulation suite, email clinicalsimulationsuite@uhi.ac.uk