CUTTING edge facilities that are helping shape the future workforce of the NHS officially opened at new Oxford Brookes campus in Swindon yesterday.

Last summer, the university moved from its former Ferndale Campus, to a new, larger campus at the Delta Business Park, as part of a £10 million investment over the next decade.

Over 80 people attended the official opening ceremony yesterday afternoon including Lord Joel Joffe – long-time Swindon resident and former human rights lawyer, who the building is named after.

As part of the new campus, students are now able to access a new library, high quality teaching spaces, skills labs, catering facilities and spaces to enhance support collaboration and research.

It also includes a simulation room complete with two dummies that breathe, and can mimic life-threatening situations – something which students say is the biggest benefit from the move.

Deborah Howells, 31 who is a second year adult nursing student, believes these life-like skills labs at the campus prepare the students for medical emergencies they could face while on placement at places including the Great Western Hospital in the town.

She said: “I previously had a career in IT and it was when I went away and had children that I realised the differences nurses make which is why I applied here.

“We have the most up-to-date equipment and facilities here that help us with our learning. The skills labs mimic the environment we would face when out in the real world and it makes you feel like you are prepared for them.

“Having these facilities give you a great stepping stone to move onto placements or jobs and you don’t get that intimidating feeling because we have had the chance to practice and learn from our mistakes.

“I have to commute an hour or so from Westbury to come here but the quality of education and teaching we receive definitely makes it worth it.”

At the ceremony, a commemorative plaque was unveiled by Lord Joel Joffe who said while he was “embarrassed” to have such a prestigious building named after him, he was grateful to be in attendance.

“I’ve always known Oxford Brookes as an exciting university which has grown and done so wonderfully well and it is a great success story,” he said.

“I’m very proud that Oxford Brookes thought that it would be a little helpful to them to have my name on their building.

“I’m excited about Oxford Brookes expanding as it is important to have a university here with the background and the prestige of Oxford Brookes and it is great for Swindon.”

As well as adult nursing and diploma courses, the campus offers an operating department practice diploma course.

For more information about the courses on offer visit www.brookes.ac.uk/nursing