Guidelines produced by the General Medical Council of Great Britain have emphasised the importance of the development of the skills and attitudes appropriate for a junior doctor. Medical schools are in the process of reforming their curricula accordingly. The development of these skills is made increasingly difficult by changes such as short admissions to hospital, increased care in the community, and reduced resources. This article outlines the development of a clinical skills centre as a multidisciplinary unit to improve clinical skills teaching with the aid of up-to-date technology and educational practices. By sharing our experience we aim to provide a practical guide for the development of such units in other medical and nursing colleges.