A state-of-the-art £2million health campus has opened in Ipswich for young nurses and carers to build the essential skills they need for a career in the NHS.

The brand-new Science Campus for Suffolk New College opened its doors on Thursday.


Situated on the corner of Rope Walk and Dove Street, the new centre is spread across four storeys.

Inside are specialist training environments, including a children’s nursery, an immersive suite hospital ward, a virtual reality suite and an occupational health room, along with a new laboratory, classrooms and IT facilities.

This new facility will be used to help students of all ages build the skills they need to progress into careers in the NHS and other health, care and science related roles.

Students were delighted to look around the new centre. 

Tanner Minter, 18 and from Hadleigh, is on a T Level health level 3 course. 

He said: “The new facilities are really good for our practical activities as you feel more immersed in study and you have all the equipment to do practical scenarios.

“It helps you feel more prepared for the environment that you will work in.” 

Ipswich Star: Tanner Minter, 18 and from Hadleigh, is on a T Level health level 3 course. Image: Suffolk New CollegeTanner Minter, 18 and from Hadleigh, is on a T Level health level 3 course. Image: Suffolk New College (Image: Suffolk New College)Ipswich Star: Alan Pease and Stephen Pugh from Suffolk New College, Lynne Mortimer (Mayor of Ipswich) and Peter Cook (ESNEFT) at the launch of the health and science campus. Image: Suffolk New CollegeAlan Pease and Stephen Pugh from Suffolk New College, Lynne Mortimer (Mayor of Ipswich) and Peter Cook (ESNEFT) at the launch of the health and science campus. Image: Suffolk New College (Image: Suffolk New College)

The Mayor of Ipswich, Councillor Lynne Mortimer, was amongst the 100 guests present on Thursday for centre’s grand opening ceremony. She herself is a former Suffolk New College student.

“It was a pleasure to return to my former place of study and open this fantastic new building,” she said.

“It will be a huge boost to the town as the doctors, nurses, specialists, care workers and scientists of the future will get to learn from the best and receive training in these state-of-the-art, industry-ready facilities.”

Ipswich Star: Alan Pease, Suffolk New College's Principal and chief executive, said that the opening of this new campus will be a huge boost for Ipswich. Image: Suffolk New CollegeAlan Pease, Suffolk New College's Principal and chief executive, said that the opening of this new campus will be a huge boost for Ipswich. Image: Suffolk New College (Image: Suffolk New College)
                            
Alan Pease is the College principal and chief executive of Suffolk New College. He said: “This is another proud milestone in the history of Suffolk New College. 
“This modern specialist campus will enable us to train the next generation of talented individuals who are needed to work in crucial roles primarily in the health, care and science sectors.”