Health Secretary Neil Gray visits GCU
Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care Neil Gray paid a visit to Glasgow Caledonian University today (May 21).
He was welcomed by the University’s Pro Vice-Chancellor Engagement Caroline Bysh and Dean of the School of Health and Life Sciences (SHLS) Professor Anita Simmers.
During the visit, Mr Gray was given a tour of the SHLS state-the-art nursing and allied health professions (AHP) simulation centre, which looks and feels like a real hospital with adult and paediatric wards, an emergency room, and X-ray, radiotherapy and home environment suites where he met staff and students.
Mr Gray, who is also MSP for Airdrie and Shotts, additionally learned more about widening access, skills and graduate employment, practice-based learning recovery, future workforce demands, the impact of health research, and the University’s ambitions around primary and community health care.
Speaking of the visit, GCU’s Principal and Vice-Chancellor Professor Steve Decent said: “We are delighted the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care Neil Gray could meet our staff and students on campus today. He was able to see first-hand the range of impressive work being undertaken, from our life-changing health research to meeting the demands of the NHS by providing the future workforce of nurses and allied health professionals.”
Mr Gray said: “Our student allied health professionals play a critical role in the success of our NHS now and in the future, and I welcomed having the opportunity to speak with some of them today.
“The range of facilities at Glasgow Caledonian University and the important work that they are doing in the field of health research is vital to ensuring that our students are ready and well equipped to join our health workforce.
“The communities we serve are varied and ever-changing, and it is important that our students have the knowledge and skills in a range of areas, including prevention and public health, to meet those needs.”
Professor Simmers said: “As Scotland’s largest health school, it was a valuable opportunity to showcase the strength of our collaboration - from diagnosis to treatment, clinical innovation to public health prevention - all of which are essential to delivering effective patient care in the heart of the communities we serve.
“Our long-standing partnership working with the NHS and the Scottish Government underpins our commitment to curricular innovation that meets the evolving needs of health and social care.
“We are aligned with national priorities such as expanding community-based care and strengthening non-medical roles within hospital services. Together, we are creating a sustainable and resilient workforce equipped with the skills and values needed to provide the highest quality of care across all communities in Scotland. We look forward to continuing this vital collaboration.”