Australian Labor Party leader Mr Bill Shorten visited Flinders Medical Centre on Tuesday and announced that his party would invest $2.5 million in a new Clinical Simulation Lab for Flinders University, if elected to govern in the May 18 Federal election.

Mr Shorten says this election pledge will mean that future nurses, doctors and health scientists can learn to work together in a real-world multidisciplinary team to improve patient care.

“New state-of-the-art clinical simulation equipment can improve training outcomes and ensure health professionals start their placements with well-developed practical skills,” Mr Shorten says.

Mr Shorten says the proposed simulation lab will mirror real life situations, preparing students for circumstances they will encounter in hospitals, surgeries and in the community. “This will build on Flinders University’s record in training first-rate clinicians across South Australia and the Northern Territory,” he says.

He identified Flinders University’s focus on remote health and workforce development, saying that Flinders students get the opportunity to train through the Northern Territory Medical Program – which teaches clinical skills in Darwin, Alice Springs, Katherine and Nhulunbuy. This gives Flinders University a leading role in developing the future health workforce for many remote Aboriginal communities.

He added that a new Clinical Simulation Lab at Flinders would also strengthen training and professional development links with the Southern Adelaide Local Health Network, benefiting local students, clinicians and patients.