Member of the Senedd for the Vale of Clwyd, Gareth Davies, visited Wrexham University this week to tour their state-of-the-art health education and training facilities and learn how they have benefited North Wales and the Vale of Clwyd since opening in 2022 / 2023 by bringing skilled workers and students, not just from across Wales but globally, to North Wales, and retaining those professionals for the region.
Gareth met with the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Maria Hinfelaar, for a tour of the University’s two trailblazing simulated clinical environments, Tŷ Dysgu, and the Health Simulation Centre. At Tŷ Dysgu, students from a nursing, care, and a variety of other health backgrounds, practice potential real-life scenarios in highly realistic simulated environments such as model homes and workplace environments. Trainees use the most innovative technology developed at Tŷ Dysgu to practice remedying a variety of ailments and injuries, such as using artificial skin to practice the reparation of wounds, which gives students the best preparation for real world clinical practice.
These state-of-the-art facilities, in conjunction with the opportunity to receive tuition-free education if students remain in Wales for 2 years after graduation, are creating huge pull factors to bring talent from across Wales, and across the world, to acquire these skills in the region - retaining those trained professionals in North Wales for the benefit of the NHS. Gareth learned that there has been a 20% increase in enrolment of international students in the past year which demonstrates the attractiveness of the allied health courses at Wrexham University which is hoped will benefit oversubscribed hospitals and practices across North Wales.
Commenting on his visit, Gareth said:
“I was astonished by the innovative technology utilised at Wrexham University’s new medical facilities, who are leading the way in this type of equipment and education, which really puts North Wales on the map.
“These facilities will be a huge magnet for global and regional talent and will pay dividends for our NHS in North Wales.
“I’d like to thank Vice-Chancellor Professor Hinfelaar for the excellent work being undertaken at these new facilities and allowing me to visit. I look forward to seeing the benefits of this investment for the Vale of Clwyd and North Wales regionally.”
