A NEW high-tech facility to train student nurses is being launched in Wirral by the University of Chester.

The former Old Market House in Hamilton Street, Birkenhead, will be renamed Marriss House after Professor Dorothy Marriss, who was the first Dean of the university’s Faculty of Health and Social Care and former Deputy Vice-Chancellor.

The purchase represents a multi-million pound investment by the university.

The building will contain a fully-equipped skills laboratory, made to resemble a state-of-the-art hospital ward.

This will include virtual reality equipment and offer the space and technology to allow student nurses to practice clinical skills before partaking in work experience at hospitals and in the community.

It will also contain classrooms of various sizes, smaller rooms for group work and a fully-stocked library.

Students on the Bachelor of Nursing programme, currently based on the university’s premises at the Clatterbridge Hospital site, will transfer to the new building, along with academic and professional services staff, with teaching planned to start for the next academic year in September 2018.

The new site will also house a range of postgraduate healthcare students on programmes such as MSc Art Therapy; Non-Medical Prescribing and a range of other courses.

University chiefs say the new facility will ensure the Faculty of Health and Social Care is in a strong position to respond to proposed changes to nursing education in the future.

Professor Angela Simpson, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health and Social Care, said: “The new site at Marriss House, Birkenhead, offers prospective student nurses an exciting opportunity to learn within a locally based university site that provides an excellent learning environment including a library and clinical simulation facility.

“Our nursing programmes are carefully designed and delivered in partnership with a range of NHS, private and voluntary sector organisations across the region. University of Chester students are highly regarded by local employers on completion of their studies.

"Last year 99 per cent of students completing the Bachelor of Nursing (BN) Honours programme in adult field of practice were in employment within six months of completing the programme.”

Government plans emphasise the need for more care to be delivered at home, and less in hospitals, with greater focus on public health and health education.

Other programmes could also relocate to Marriss House if they are able to benefit from the geographical location and new facilities.

Professor Tim Wheeler, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Chester, said: “The university is dedicated to educating the very best nurses of the future and the facilities at this new site, Marriss House, will enable us to fulfil this commitment.

“We forward to working closely with Wirral Metropolitan College to provide a seamless opportunity for students to progress from health and social care programmes into nursing and allied health professions.

“It is also an honour to recognise Professor Dorothy Marriss in this way, as she played such a significant role in developing the faculty.”