Staff benefit from world-class working environment

Tuesday saw the official opening of the newly refurbished Medical School, part of an exciting project to improve facilities in the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health for staff and students.

The £3.5 million project was officially unveiled by Sir John Savill, Chief Executive of the Medical Research Council, and the Lord Mayor of Sheffield, Councillor John Campbell.

A programme of refurbishments and investment has provided first-class learning and teaching space for students, new accommodation for faculty and academic departments, and dedicated facilities and support for clinical researchers.

Professor Sir Keith Burnett, Vice-Chancellor, said at the opening: “As a result of this work our facilities now truly are world-class and it is not an exaggeration to say that the Faculty now has the highest quality facilities of any university in the UK.

“I would like to thank all those staff who coped with the disruption of being moved for eight months during the building work. I hope you now feel that you are doing this vital work in an environment which reflects your own values and ambitions. On behalf of all those who will benefit from your efforts, I thank you and congratulations to all of you.”

The Faculty has a long standing tradition of excellence in clinical education and research with the origins of the School of Medicine, as it was formally known, dating back to 1828.

The 21st century transformation of the Medical School, which has seen the creation of a superb open-plan social learning hub, installation of extensive state-of-the-art technology and a new health sciences library, is an investment in the future for both students and staff.

The Medical School is also the new home to the Academic Unit of Medical Education. Professor Nigel Bax, Head of the Unit, said: “The refurbishment of the Medical School has given staff and students a unique and truly splendid academic base. The creation of a focal point for the Medical School will allow academic and social interactions as well as providing an environment of the highest quality for students.

“The redesign of the library will give students direct access from the Medical School and the updated seminar rooms will allow small group teaching for all medical students. Already the students and staff have said how tremendous this development has been and we believe that it has been responsible for a very large increase in applications for 2013 entry.”

More than 2,500 students study within the Faculty each year on over 40 different courses, giving budding healthcare professionals the very best start to their careers and the opportunity to learn in a unique working environment.

Medics are given a unique insight into life on the ward at the new Clinical Skills Centre in Samuel Fox House at the Northern General Hospital. The new centre has hospital wards, an intensive care centre and resuscitation rooms. All clinical areas are linked by a web-based audio visual system which allows students to be observed and recorded as they undertake clinical tasks as well as being given instant feedback.

Current student and Medical Society President, Ben Holden, said: “Those of us studying here feel incredibly privileged to be able to use the new facilities and equipment at both sites. The refurbishment hasn't just provided a more aesthetically pleasing environment but has opened up countless new opportunities for the learning of medicine in Sheffield. We just can't wait to get stuck in and start using this astounding new technology.”