Daventry MP left holding the baby as he tours University of Northampton health facilities

Daventry MP and Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Stuart Andrew visited the University of Northampton this month to tour facilities for health courses, including Nursing, Midwifery, and Paramedic Science, and to discuss with academics the sector challenges and the solutions higher education can provide.

Mr Andrew was left holding the baby while speaking to Chrissie Richardson Senior Lecturer – Children and Young People’s Nursing and Dr David Cousens, Deputy Dean, Faculty of Health, Sport and Behavioural Sciences as he toured the University’s Maternity Ward which includes life-like baby and adult mannequins.

Mr Andrew also viewed the Paramedic Science suite which features a fully equipped ambulance and immersive video space that can replicate a range of environments for students to hone their skills and experience.

There he spoke to Aidan Ward and Steve Buckle, Senior Lecturers in Paramedic Science about their course being in the top ten Paramedic courses in the country for the quality of provision, and the interdisciplinary nature of their course as students have placements in both the ambulance service and in hospital departments such as theatres, maternity, paediatric wards and work with other agencies including police, fire and air ambulance crews.

Aidan also highlighted the range of career paths for his graduates outside the Ambulance Service and added: “I hope Mr Andrew left with a greater awareness of the varied specialisms in health and how we prepare and educate our health care professionals to deliver health care to the highest possible standard.

“We were also able to show how the academic, simulation and practical experience in the university is strongly linked to the realities of actual clinical practice in paramedic and ambulance environments.”

Mr Andrew said: “It’s a little unnerving holding such a realistic baby mannequin, it was incredibly lifelike!

“The staff, the equipment and the facilities here are amazing. The University’s Waterside Campus is a really impressive place, light and airy and equipped with the latest technology. It is an inspiring learning environment to be in.

“As the MP for Daventry, I’m very glad to have the University on the doorstep of my constituency and I know many of my constituents will be using this wonderful resource, to improve their skills and build professional careers.

“And as Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care it’s great to know that we have access to highly experienced health care professionals who have firsthand experience of the challenges we face in the sector and are also nurturing the next generation of frontline workers.”

To find out more about studying for a career in health, browse courses for Nursing and Midwifery and Public and Professional Healthcare.