FUTURE medics are getting hands-on experience at Middlesbrough College thanks to a major investment in Health and Care facilities.

A new health and care ‘ward’ has opened at the College as part of a £20m investment in STEM facilities (science, technology, engineering and maths).

The suite of facilities also includes a new child care training centre and a physiology laboratory.

More than 700 full-time students will benefit from the new health and care facilities along with a further 300 part-time students.

The ward was opened by Boda Gallon, chief executive of Keiro - Middlesbrough College’s latest neighbour.

Keiro built ‘The Gateway’ which provides a range of services to people with neurological conditions.

Boda said: “I’m honoured to open MC Care as Middlesbrough College is such a like-minded partner in health and social care innovation.

“A key reason Keiro selected Middlesbrough to invest in was to be next to and collaborate with Middlesbrough College for our future employment and training needs and the opportunities for vocational and education rehabilitation for our clients.

“These fantastic facilities have been designed to enrich the curriculum and ensure students are properly prepared for work.”

Sue Duffield, Middlesbrough College’s director of programme for health and social care, said: “We’re thrilled with the new facilities.”

The new facilities will strengthen the courses on offer, including BTEC Health and Social Care, BTEC children’s play learning and development, and BTEC Level 1 and 2 health and care programmes.

Health and social care students progress into a range of careers and roles including Nursing, midwifery, radiography, early years practitioners, social workers and teachers.

The new facilities were opened as hundreds of students and pupils from six Tees Valley secondary schools took part in a series of ‘have a go’ health and care taster sessions at Middlesbrough College.