News Centre

New home for healthcare

16 December 2010

The new Cochrane Building

Healthcare students have had the chance to see first-hand progress on their emerging new home during a site visit this week.

Students were joined by the University’s Dean of Medicine, Professor Paul Morgan, Professor John Bligh, Dean of Medical education and Dr Dianne Watkins, Deputy Head of the School of Nursing and Midwifery.

Once completed the new Cochrane Building, named after the University’s medical pioneer, Archie Cochrane, will offer facilities for all five healthcare schools based on the Heath Park Campus.

The dedicated facilities will include a twin story, inter-professional library, modern clinical skills and high-tech simulation laboratories, postgraduate teaching areas, seminar space, wireless access to on-line services, student support services and the Dean of Medicine’s offices.

Healthcare students and staff inspect progress on their new home

Oli Luton, the Students’ Union Healthcare Integration Officer said: "At present, tutorials and lectures are spread right across the Heath Park site, this creates a somewhat disjointed atmosphere among the students of the Heath Park Campus.

"The new building means more interaction with staff and students from other schools, as well as increasing the number of world class teaching venues.

"The Cochrane building will provide Healthcare students with brand new facilities to help aid teaching and learning – which I am sure will be warmly welcomed by all.

"Once completed, the new building will provide a home space for students along with the new lecture theatre building and IV Lounge, and will act as an epicentre for student activity."

Professor Morgan, Dean of the School of Medicine, said: "The Cochrane Building is a particular strategic key for the School of Medicine. It will give the School a "front door" and meet most of the day-to-day needs of our students.

(Left to right) Professor Paul Morgan, Professor John Bligh and Dr Dianne Watkins inspect the plans

"The increased opportunities for contact between the different healthcare disciplines will also create new opportunities for interprofessional learning and future professional collaborations."

The Cochrane Building is expected to be completed by the end of 2011.

Images on all of the construction stages of the building are available at: www.flickr.com/photos/47798574@N05/.