Student nurses coming to Derby to study are set to benefit from state-of-the-art teaching and learning facilities at a new multi-million pound education centre.

The University of Nottingham’s School of Nursing, Midwifery and Physiotherapy Education Centre will offer flexible classrooms, a four-bed bay skills suite, virtual learning hub and a large multidisciplinary library.

The £4.5m building, funded by Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, based at the Royal Derby Hospital, gives students access to facilities at the School of Graduate Entry Medicine and Health and puts them at the heart of quality patient-care facilities.

Elaine Cook, Head of Division of Nursing for School of Nursing, Midwifery & Physiotherapy, said: “This is a very exciting development and will provide students with an excellent learning environment.

“Being part of the hospital will create a vibrant, modern hub and benefit students’ clinical education. It will also promote stronger staff collaborations and nurture new research opportunities.”

The centre will be home to 80 students on the University’s BSc (Hons) Nursing course and 80 students studying adult, child or mental health nursing on its Graduate Entry Nursing (GEN) course. The centre will also cater for almost 250 healthcare professionals studying professional development courses from Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.

Brigid Stacey, Director of Patient Experience and Chief Nurse at Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are delighted the School of Nursing is now on the Royal Derby Hospital site. Students, university staff and hospital staff will all benefit from the stunning new facilities and ensure Derby continues to have a nursing workforce to be proud of. It will play a big part in helping Derby continue to attract the brightest and best new students who will then hopefully continue their careers with us for the benefit of Derby patients.

“Nursing is a challenging but rewarding career, and needs people who not only have the passion to care for people, but also can make the right decisions for the benefit of patients. Providing Graduate Entry Nurse Education in the new School of Nursing will help secure high quality nursing, midwifery and physiotherapy graduates, who provide compassionate care and strong leadership.

More information about studying at the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Physiotherapy at The University of Nottingham is available at: http://nottingham.ac.uk/nmp/home.aspx