The University of Aberdeen and NHS Grampian have welcomed a decision by Aberdeen City Council’s Planning Committee to give the go-ahead to plans for a multi-million pound state-of-the-art medical teaching and learning centre. The Planning Committee noted that it was a good news story for the city.
The University and NHS Grampian are joint partners in the Matthew Hay project which will see a £16.5 million purpose-built facility developed at Foresterhill, Aberdeen.
The new build will teach anatomy and clinical skills to the next generation of doctors and it will also provide a superb training platform – equipped with the latest technology – for the continuing professional development of existing health professionals.
The complex will also provide first class conference and lecture facilities; a museum area displaying the story of the history of medicine; a simulated ward area for the training of students and staff; an IT suite and a café and break-out spaces .
Professor Mike Greaves, Head of the School of Medicine, welcomed the news that the plans have been approved. He said: “The Matthew Hay project will truly deliver a fantastic facility for the North-east.
“Medical training in Aberdeen already has an excellent reputation worldwide and this development will enhance that even further.
“The new facility will allow a higher profile to be given to anatomy teaching. The centre will also facilitate the teaching and revision of essential clinical skills to students and a wide range of health professionals.”
Dr Rona Patey, Director of the Clinical Skills Centre at Foresterhill, said: “This is really great news. Our dream of providing a world class healthcare education and training facility on the Foresterhill site is becoming a reality.
“The benefits will be felt for many years to come by medical students, NHS Grampian staff , patients and the North-east in general."
The University and NHS Grampian have committed a total of £12 million towards the development. The project will fundraise at least a further £4.5 million to ensure the centre is a truly outstanding facility.
Professor Sir Graeme Catto, Chairman of the Matthew Hay fundraising campaign, added: "I have been delighted that so many people have invested in the Matthew Hay Project so far.
“Since January this year a range of charitable Trusts and individuals have donated over £1.8 million in support of the concept of this project.
“Receiving planning permission is a further milestone and we will now redouble our fundraising efforts to raise the outstanding £2.5m we need to make this Centre the best in the UK."
· Professor Matthew Hay (1855-1932) was the original pioneer of the Foresterhill complex, which is thought to be the largest healthcare campus in Europe. In the 1920s he convinced city fathers of the importance of locating treatment, prevention of disease and education together on one site – hence the co-location of the University and NHS Grampian.