The University of Westminster has officially opened its new state-of-the-art Clinical Simulation Suites at its Cavendish Campus. The launch marks a significant investment in health and wellbeing education with a focus on preventative medicine and the ability to provide care in both community and hospital settings, preparing students for the healthcare careers of the future.
The opening coincided with the launch of two new programmes, the Nursing Associate Foundation Degree FdSc and the Nursing Associate Apprenticeship, both designed to support the delivery of healthcare across the NHS, social and primary care.
The programme, co-designed with a range of stakeholders, intends to support the workforce and help address growing concerns around nurse wellbeing and burnout. By prioritising practical preparation, teamwork and emotional resilience, the courses aim to better equip future healthcare professionals for the realities of modern clinical practice. Both programmes have been approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), becoming the Council’s 100th accredited course.
The Clinical Simulation Suites provide students with a highly realistic, hands-on learning environment that mirrors real healthcare settings. Through simulated clinical scenarios, students can safely practice essential skills such as the monitoring and delivery of care, as well as communicative and collaborative working. This immersive approach helps bridge the gap between theory and practice, building student confidence, competence and professional readiness before entering clinical placements, a key factor in reducing stress and burnout once graduates enter the workforce.
At the opening Westminster Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Peter Bonfield and Dr Kaushika Patel, Head of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, welcomed guests from the School of Life Sciences and beyond. Guests were invited to tour the new facilities and observe live simulations that demonstrated how students will engage with real-life clinical situations. One simulation showcased the care of an unwell child, which highlighted the importance of compassionate communication with families.
Launching in September 2026, the courses have been developed in response to workforce needs across England and the increasing pressure facing NHS, social and primary care staff. Nursing Associates play a vital role in supporting registered nurses and strengthening care teams, acting as a bridge between healthcare support workers and registered nurses across a wide range of settings including hospitals, GP practices, care homes, hospices, social care and community services.
By embedding values of empathy, teamwork and patient-centred care throughout the curriculum, the programmes aim not only to improve patient outcomes but also to promote healthier, more sustainable careers in nursing. This holistic approach is designed to help alleviate workload pressures on registered nurses and contribute to long-term efforts to reduce burnout across the NHS.
The programmes combine academic and practice-based learning, including lectures, seminars, enquiry-based learning, skills development and simulated activities within the new facilities, alongside placements across NHS Trusts, social care and independent healthcare settings. The curriculum aligns with the ambitions of the NHS’s Government’s 10 Year Health Plan for England.
The new Nursing Associate apprenticeship will join the School of Life Sciences existing portfolio of programmes, including the Biomedical Scientist apprenticeship, which has been nominated in the Best Apprenticeship in Healthcare and Science category by the Apprenticeship Guide Awards. The University’s apprenticeships have also been nominated in the Best University for Apprenticeships and Best Apprenticeship in Construction categories.
University Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Peter Bonfield said: “Our collective vision at the University to make the world a more sustainable, healthier and better place has just moved forward another important step with the opening of our state-of-the-art facility. We are entering this new era for the University with big energy and intent. Through our new hands-on healthcare courses, we will instil cutting-edge technical skills, resilience and compassion in our students, who will be equipped to help disease prevention and treatment and will provide better care, both in hospitals and community settings. It’s such an important mission and so urgently needed for a sustainable future.”
Dr Jan Webb, Head of Nursing at the University of Westminster and Course Leader for the new course, said: “The University is proud to have received NMC approval to deliver our innovative Nursing Associate programme. With a distinctive focus on community and social care, the programme will equip students to meet all NMC requirements and deliver care across the life course. Our new, state-of-the-art Simulation Suite provides a safe and immersive environment for developing clinical skills, complemented by placements in a range of hospital, community and social care settings. We look forward to welcoming our first cohort of students in September 2026. Building on our existing strengths, this new and exciting programme lays the foundations for further expanding our health and social care education.”
Dr Karen Chandler, Head of Nursing and Health Partnerships at the University of Westminster, added: “This is a unique opportunity to design and deliver innovative education to meet the needs of our future healthcare professionals. In an uncertain and rapidly changing healthcare landscape, acknowledging the challenges is crucial. We must educate and support students to become competent, resilient and agile practitioners. Our experiences, as educators, practitioners, policymakers and researchers, and our well-established partnerships across the NHS, social and primary care sectors, and the independent sector will enable this to happen.”
Professor Donna O’Boyle MBE, Acting Executive Director of Professional Practice at the Nursing and Midwifery Council, said: “Following a rigorous quality assurance process, spanning 18 months, we’re delighted to welcome the University of Westminster as our 100th Approved Education Institution. We wish the first cohort of student nursing associates well.”
The new suites directly contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 3: Good Health and Wellbeing, 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth and 4: Quality Education. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.
Find out more about Public Health and Nutrition courses at the University of Westminster.
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