The University is building a three storey premises at the Trust’s Stoke Mandeville site dedicated to teaching and learning for its healthcare students. Students will be able to undertake the classroom element of their course at Stoke Mandeville, while at the same time getting experience of life in an integrated Trust which provides a range of specialist, acute and community services.  In addition many of the students will have their placement at the hospital.

Bill Rammell, Vice Chancellor of the University of Bedfordshire said: “I am delighted to announce this new enhanced long-term partnership with Buckinghamshire Healthcare Trust. Ensuring our students are ready to provide the highest care for patients is dependent on close working with the NHS and this partnership can only be good news for our students, patients and the public.”

The new building will provide a specialist skills room, set out as a hospital ward with state-of-the-art audio visual technology. There will also be a suite of six classrooms and a ground floor dedicated a library, social learning and computer facilities.

The building is just a short walk away from the Trust’s accommodation blocks.  The new facility will be open in time to receive students when they register in September.

Carolyn Morrice, Chief Nurse at Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, said: “We are really excited to be welcoming the University of Bedfordshire team to our Stoke Mandeville site. Enabling students to complete their classroom studies alongside their practical education at the hospital will be a real benefit and give students a unique insight into what happens at the Trust.

“As a provider of acute and community services, with specialist services including the National Spinal Injuries Centre, we are uniquely placed to be able to give students a wide range of experience, supported by a team of committed and experienced staff during their studies.”