Birmingham City University to reopen building to help train hundreds of students taking on frontline NHS roles

Birmingham City University has announced it is to reopen its Seacole Building to help train hundreds of students taking on frontline NHS roles in the fight against Coronavirus.

The University will make its facilities available for students who will take up extended work placements within the NHS to help boost the workforce.

The £71 million Seacole Building was named after Mary Seacole, the celebrated Jamaican-born nurse renowned for her support for British soldiers during the Crimean War.

The building features mock wards, as well as skills, practices and care enhancement facilities.

It will now be used as a Skills Hub to help students nearing the end of their studies, current NHS staff, and returning employees to learn key techniques and skills needed in the frontline battle against coronavirus.

Nearly 300 student nurses from the University will be taking up positions within the NHS to support the nation-wide effort to stem the spread of the virus.