Health care professionals including nurses, doctors and surgical trainees have a brand new simulation centre training facility at Mater Dei a Hospital. "Simulation training was developed years ago in the aviation industry. We have now imported the concept to medical training, allowing our medical and nursing staff to develop their medical and surgical techniques in a simulated environment" - This was stated by Parliamentary Secretary for Health Chris Fearne, during the inauguration of the new Medical Simulation Centre at Mater Dei Hospital. Mr Fearne announced that thanks to an investment of more than €450,000  government is offering a centre of excellence providing unique and powerful real-time learning opportunities in key competences to trainee doctors whilst heightening patients safety.

Mr Ray Galea, Head of Post Graduate Medical Training said that this simulation centre is divided into two large areas, with a total of 250  metres squared, and it is training around 460  postgraduates and undergraduates doctors  throughout the year in diagnostics and surgical procedures.  Amongst others, training procedures include, adult medical specialities, chemical pathology, dermatology,  orthopaedic, ophthalmology and  paediatric surgery.

This controlled training environment is aimed at imitating a real-life patient care setting. Parts of it are also furnished with cameras to enable recording of training sessions allowing trainee doctors to learn without jeopardising the welfare of patients.  This training centre offers the latest medical simulation technology.  This includes two human patient simulators which blink, simulate breathing and have a heartbeat, pulse and respiratory sounds. These are used for training on physical examinations and interdisciplinary major trauma management. Likewise, this simulation centre holds a simulated clinical environment and virtual procedure stations, presenting a variety of scenarios where trainees can practice until they master the technique.