University of Salford training staff for Nightingale North West

Ahead of the new hospital opening at the Manchester Central conference centre – also known as the G-MEX – its staff will receive a full induction at the university. The training has been designed specifically for them, and will cover topics including use of personal protective equipment (PPE), assisted breathing techniques (CPAP), communication and refreshing clinical skills.

NHS Nightingale North West will be staffed by consultants, junior doctors, nurses, healthcare support workers, physiotherapists, pharmacists, occupational therapists, social workers, and other non-clinical support workers and administrators. The facility is planned to open on Easter Sunday, with 36 beds initially being made available. 

Professor Margaret Rowe, Dean of the School of Health and Society at the University of Salford said: “We are proud to be opening up our facilities to support this vital training for NHS clinical staff at the new Nightingale hospital. In these challenging times it is more important than ever that we all pull together to defeat this devastating virus, and we’re delighted to be able to support our NHS partners in this way.

“As one of the largest educators of nurses and allied health professionals in the North West, our facilities here at the university closely reflect those in practice, giving our students the chance to learn from simulated scenarios in a safe environment. We now hope these facilities will give those returning to the NHS or taking on new roles to support the Nightingale North West the training and preparation they need for the challenge ahead.

“We’ll be continuing to support the NHS and care organisations in Greater Manchester ensuring they have all the support they need.”

The university also has significant numbers of nursing, midwifery and allied health professional students on placement in the NHS across Greater Manchester and has supplied specialist equipment to help the government to run tens of thousands of COVID-19 tests per day.