A Glimpse Inside the New School of Health Studies

In late January 2011, a group of current students from the School of Health Studies were the first to get a glimpse inside their new building. This visit to the construction site is the first of a series of opportunities for students to see their new School, prior to its move to City Campus in Summer 2011.

The £9m investment in this project reflects the University's ongoing commitment to healthcare education. The building's new facilities will include practice simulation suites, a movement laboratory, dedicated radiography facilities and state of the art equipment. This includes high tech mannequins which allow students to practice clinical skills in a safe and stimulating environment. A specialist camera system will enhance the student experience and allow connectivity to classrooms in the University and worldwide.

The students were taken on a site tour by senior site manager Ian Armitage from project contractor ISG, and were able to see the spaces that will house the School's new facilities.

Beki Rose, a current 2^nd year Child nursing student said, "I really enjoyed the visit. It was great to be able to visit the site and to start to visualise the new facilities that will be available to students from next academic year.  The construction of the building is progressing well and it's much more spacious than I imagined."

The new School of Health Studies will be housed within the refurbished Horton A building and a brand new extension, constructed in accordance with the University's Ecoversity Policy. It exceeds normal building regulation requirements, in many areas including insulation and energy efficiency, and is predicted to achieve a 'Very Good' BREEAM rating. BREEAM (British Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) is the leading and most widely used environmental assessment method for buildings.

Initiatives such as using local contractors and labour, are as important as reducing future energy costs when building in an environmentally responsible manner.  The University is a leader in this field and has won numerous environmental awards, including the Times Higher Award for Outstanding Contribution to Sustainable Development, which it has been awarded for the last two years. 

If you are a School of Health Studies student interested in taking part in a future visit, please send your contact details to Tracey Russell, School of Health Studies - t.russell1@bradford.ac.uk

Nursing students Becki Rose and Lauren Atkinson with ISG Senior Site Manager Ian Armitage