Bupa has launched a £6m clinical training facility in Staines in a bid to address widespread workforce shortages across the UK health and social care sector.
According to Bupa, the centre will provide training for thousands of healthcare professionals each year, including nurses, doctors, dental nurses and dentists.
According to the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan, the UK faced a shortfall of over 112,000 healthcare workers in 2023 – a figure projected to rise to 360,000 by 2036. There are also more than 165,000 vacancies in social care and a shortage of nearly 2,750 dentists.
Training will range from cardiothoracic and MSK care to imaging, injection skills, acute care training, genomics and resuscitation training. Dental trainees will also have access to oral health practitioner apprenticeships, diplomas, equipment care and maintenance, radiography and anaesthetic courses.
The Staines site, part of the international Bupa Campus which includes training facilities in Madrid and Melbourne, will offer simulated clinical environments including high-tech labs equipped with VR headsets, 3D tools and advanced mannequins.
‘With skill shortages across critical roles in care, dentistry and clinical settings, we recognise the need to develop a pipeline of healthcare professionals in the UK,’ said Carlos Jaureguizar, CEO for Bupa Global, India and UK.
‘Through this facility we want to provide a safe setting to master in-depth knowledge and skills, inspiring people to pursue fulfilling careers in healthcare. This means access to the latest technologies and techniques to confidently provide patients, customers and residents with high quality care and treatment, to live well for longer and enable better health outcomes.’
©2026 All rights reserved LaingBuisson
