UHI’s Centre for Health Science 'compares very favourably' to similar faciltiies elsewhere in Scotland according to education minister Jamie Hepburn who praised not only its work but efforts being made to constantly expand the number of disciplines offered to students
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
UHI’s Centre for Health Science “compares very favourably” with similar institutions around Scotland according to education minister Jamie Hepburn.
Speaking on a visit to the centre this week Mr Hepburn praised not only its work but efforts being made to constantly expand the number of disciplines offered to students.
On a tour of the facility, staff showed the work being done in Inverness to educate the next generation of students wishing to embark on careers in nursing, midwifery, dentistry, and optometry.
First class facilities
“It's been fantastic to come and see what is a first class facility that compares very favourably with the other similar facilities that I've seen in other parts of the country, that is providing a range of different disciplines,” he said.
“That is also not only for those disciplines just now but it's also seeking to grow what they offer – I think it's really important, vital, that we have this type of facility here in Inverness serving the Highlands and Islands.”
He underlined that UHI is “vital” to keep young local people in the Highland workforce: “We know that traditionally, many people have gone to study elsewhere, and there's nothing wrong with that, but sometimes I think it's been because people have felt they've had to rather than might necessarily wanted to.
“So making sure that people are aware of and have the ability to experience first-class higher education in the Highlands and Islands is really important and that requires first class facilities and that is certainly what we have here.”
Related Stories:
- UHI is seeking business collaboration to attract and keep talent in the Highlands and Islands
- World-leading research results show importance of the connection of the University of the Highlands UHI with communities in Inverness and the rest of the region
- University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) principal Todd Walker resigns
Potential for a medical school in the Highlands?
In recent years there have been tentative calls to establish a medical school at UHI's Inverness campus to train doctors locally but whether that is a realistic prospect or not remains to be seen.
Mr Hepburn said: “We should be open to such a prospect.
"I mean, largely, we have to be led by institutions to a greater or lesser degree in that regards but if they can demonstrate that there is the requirement and the interest, and then you can tie it up with the national health service saying that can be sustainable then, of course, you have to be open to these things.
“Now whether or not that means it will come to pass or is going to come to pass or how imminent it is – I honestly can't say, of course, we should be open to such a prospect.”
NHS Highland and UHI work ‘cheek by jowl’
Concentrating on what already was in place, Mr Hepburn said it is essential that NHS Highland and UHI continue to work closely together to provide a workforce for the Highlands.
He said: “The fact this facility is cheek by jowl Raigmore Hospital is no accident and certainly what I am hearing is that there's very close interaction between the university and the NHS for that very purpose.
“Now, clearly can't compel people to take particular opportunities but you certainly make them aware of them and if you're bringing people in, training them in a locality, they're getting placements in a locality, then they can see firsthand the opportunities that exist in the area.
“I know there is a concerted effort with the NHS generally but certainly NHS Highland to try and make sure that they are doing everything they can to recruit to retain people in the local area and again and having a facility like this, it goes some way towards that.”
