College opens £1.1m health and care academy

It has been designed to replicate real clinical and care environments

A college has said its new £1.1m health and care academy is part of its contribution to an NHS that is "fit for the future".

Bournemouth and Poole College opened the purpose-built facility, which includes a fully equipped four-bed hospital ward simulation suite, on Tuesday.

It was jointly funded with the Department for Education and has been designed to replicate real clinical and care environments.

Louise Garner, director of learning for science, care and health at the college, said students were being given "incredible experiences in real health and care environments".

"This marks a pivotal step in our contribution to building an NHS fit for the future," she said.

Adaptive rower Alex Lewis cut the opening ribbon at a ceremony on Tuesday

Located at the college's Poole campus, it was designed in collaboration with the NHS and the care sector.

It has a care suite complete with a kitchen and bedroom, and three high-spec refurbished classrooms.

It also contains hospital-standard equipment and patient-simulation mannequins, which replicate real life healthcare scenarios.

Ms Garner said: "We are ensuring that students develop the technical skills, caring attitudes, interpersonal skills and confidence required to thrive in the healthcare sector.

"Our strong partnerships with local NHS trusts, care providers and local universities are central to this mission, ensuring that our curriculum is aligned to real sector needs and that our students are truly career-ready."

Phil Sayles, principal and chief executive at Bournemouth and Poole College added: "We are proud of innovation from our college, one of many that mean we can create progression routes for local people, both school leavers and adults, to plot a career path into the vital services and industries our country needs."