Buckinghamshire New University (BNU) recently welcomed Danny Beales, MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip, for a tour of its Uxbridge campus which is host to the university’s nursing, midwifery and healthcare degree programmes.
The newly elected Labour MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip was welcomed to campus by Vice-Chancellor Professor Nick Braisby and a group of university leaders.
Dr Barry Hill, Professor of Nursing and Head of the School of Nursing and Midwifery, showcased BNU’s facilities, including the immersive suite. This suite allows students to step directly into interactive, ‘live’ situations, applying their theoretical knowledge in practical, real-life scenarios. Clinical skills technicians demonstrated the suite’s capabilities, which can simulate various settings, such as an emergency room, hospital ward, and domestic environment.
Mr Beales also met with pre-registration MSc Nursing students and toured BNU’s simulation wards, equipped with NHS-standard technology including heart monitors to syringe drivers, that students will use during placements and once qualified. The simulated wards include lifelike manikins representing patients of all ages, including children and adults, which can be programmed to simulate medical conditions, with features such as variable heart rates and breathing, with the ability to also speak and cough and interact. The manikins represent a diverse array of ethnicities, skin tones, cultural and religious backgrounds, genders, body mass indices and heights as part of BNU’s commitment to culturally sensitive and inclusive training.
The simulation areas are equipped with Simulation Monitoring and Training Systems cameras and video technology, allowing nursing and midwifery students to record sessions, review their performance, and receive constructive feedback from their peers and teaching teams.
During his visit, Mr Beales also met with the School’s senior leadership team and Professor Damien Page (currently Deputy Vice-Chancellor) who has been appointed to the role of Vice-Chancellor from February 2025.
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nick Braisby, said: “I was delighted to welcome Danny to BNU for what I hope will be the first of many visits. We were proud that Danny was able to see first-hand the innovative ways in which Dr Hill and his team prepare our students to provide the best possible care for their future patients.”
Addressing his visit, Danny Beales MP said: “It was great to meet the wonderful team at Buckinghamshire New University and see first-hand the nursing, midwifery, and healthcare programmes as they help deliver the next generation of healthcare professionals. We are so lucky to have such great educational facilities in Uxbridge and South Ruislip and the dedication and passion of both the staff and students is evident.”
