Professor Mark Radford, CBE PhD RN, said, "Simulation is a key learning tool for our future health and care workers. Simulated clinical practice experience is viable, valuable and educational, playing an important role alongside traditional clinical practice placements.

It's always a real pleasure to see the innovation that is taking place in this area so I'm thrilled to support the opening of this Hospital and Primary Care Training Hub. It's a true exemplar of simulated learning and will provide enormous benefit to students and to our wider health and care system as a whole."

Professor Jane Perry, Dean of the School of Health, Sport and Bioscience, said, "The learning spaces include a general ward, an intensive care unit and a flat to imitate an at home environment. UEL is one of only two universities in Europe to install a simulation mannequin (SimMan 3G) providing students with the chance to deal with high-pressure situations. The life-like mannequin is an advanced simulator able to display neurological as well as physiological symptoms including sweating and crying.

"An ambulance has been placed outside which will be used to support skill-based training through the use of role-play activities and scenario-based learning. The development of the various spaces will allow students to experience a range of clinical scenarios where they can reflect on human factors and improve their knowledge and skills for safe and effective high-quality care. These new spaces will also provide students with a full patient journey starting from their home to hospital, developing full exposure to a true patient journey and preparing them to be flexible and responsive in a changing healthcare arena."

Professor Amanda Broderick, vice-chancellor and president, said, "This state-of-the-art training hub will ensure our students are highly equipped to address the urgent need for more nurses and health professionals across the NHS, especially in east London. The latest figures show there are currently 39,652 nursing vacancies in England, and that Redbridge in north east London is worst off in terms of numbers of nurses to patients.

"As the careers-led university, we are proud to be a key institution in helping address and resolve these challenges."

Phase two will start this summer. The Office for Students recently awarded a £2million grant which will go towards further works. These include a new flexible working space that resembles an accident and emergency but can also be used for consulting, running clinics and rehabilitation.

Various clinical staff from the school's various health partnerships attended the launch event, as well as board members of the University of East London and students.

The event included a keynote speech from Professor Radford and the University's vice-chancellor and president, Professor Amanda Broderick, networking, a student demonstration of the new equipment and an afternoon tea.