Staff at Epsom and St Helier hospitals can test their life or death situation skills thanks to a £100,000 cash injection in a state-of-the-art simulation training centre.

The brand new unit, named Elena Power Simulation Centre in memory of a member of staff who died last year, includes a collection of six simulation manikins representing different ages and genders, including a pregnant woman and a baby.

The unit will allow staff to undergo realistic training in a number of different scenarios, with manikins having a pulse, being able to mimic talking, crying, sweating and even urinating.

The centre will be able to test the quick reactions of staff when the ‘patient’s’ condition will deteriorate suddenly.

Dr Jenny Blair, consultant anaesthetist and simulation lead, said: "In a situation when a patient becomes critically ill, our teams must perform at their best.

"It’s therefore fundamentally important that clinical staff can understand how they behave and react in those circumstances.

"These simulation manikins allow us to practise our responses in a safe way, so we are ready for the real life situation."

Joint medical director, Dr James Marsh said: "These new simulation manikins are a fantastic asset to our hospitals, and give our staff the chance to understand how they react in critical situations and, where necessary, how they could improve."

For more information about training or working for Epsom and St Helier hospitals, visit www.epsom-sthelier.nhs.uk/work-for-us.