University healthcare training centre to open at Bruntwood SciTech

The University of Birmingham (UoB) has unveiled a new training facility at Bruntwood SciTech’s Birmingham Health Innovation Campus (BHIC) that will enable students to learn in simulated environments mirroring real-world healthcare settings.

The Birmingham Centre for Anatomy, Surgical and Clinical Skills (B-CASCS), located within BHIC’s first building (No.1 BHIC), will use green screens, microphones, cameras and other audiovisual equipment to create mock hospital wards, consulting rooms and a surgical theatre. The centre will also provide a high fidelity environment for surgical skills training, offering both cadaveric and simulated facilities.

It is hoped that the immersive approach will ensure an authentic and engaging training experience, giving students the practical skills they will need for navigating complex healthcare environments.

The B-CASCS has already been granted planning permission, and the UoB has finalised an agreement with Bruntwood SciTech to establish 50,000 square feet of facilities on the site.

Neil Hanley, pro-vice-chancellor and head of the College of Medicine and Health at the UoB, said: “By establishing our B-CASCS at BHIC, we are providing the next generation of healthcare professionals with access to essential cutting-edge facilities. These state-of-the-art resources will enable students and postgraduate trainees to engage in practical learning experiences that mirror real-world healthcare environments.”

BHIC has been designated by the UK government as a Life Sciences Opportunity Zone and is being delivered through a long-term collaboration between the UoB and Bruntwood SciTech, a joint venture between Bruntwood, Legal & General and Greater Manchester Pension Fund.

The campus, which is the West Midlands’ first dedicated life sciences hub, is situated near the UoB’s Medical School and several major hospitals, and is aimed at accelerating life sciences research and creating opportunities for collaborations between businesses, the university and NHS partners.

“BHIC will integrate cutting-edge research with commercial opportunities, creating a pioneering location for start-ups, small and medium-sized enterprises, and established enterprises in medtech, precision medicine and digital healthcare,” Bruntwood SciTech outlined.

They will also benefit from collaboration and networking opportunities through Bruntwood SciTec’s science, technology and innovation community built across the city at locations such as Innovation Birmingham, Cornwall Buildings, Cornerblock, Mclaren and Centre City, into which the organisation has invested a further £50m over the past year.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with Bruntwood SciTech, as this partnership will drive innovation and deliver impactful healthcare solutions within Birmingham’s leading life sciences ecosystem,” said Hanley. “Together, we are creating a dynamic environment that fosters academic and clinical excellence, benefiting not only our students but also the wider community and healthcare industry.”

No.1 BHIC is scheduled to open in the next few months, with the B-CASCS welcoming its first cohort of students in September 2026.