University Campus Suffolk and Ipswich Hospital build European links

Oct 18 2007 12:00AM

New hospital building in Arras The well established town links between Ipswich and Arras have recently been strengthened by a recent visit by academic staff and students from the School of Nursing and Wellbeing at University Campus Suffolk and Ipswich Hospital to the town in northern France. Over the weekend 30 September to 2 October a mixed group of nurses from Ipswich hospital, students of nursing from University Campus Suffolk in Ipswich and 4 of their lecturers were given the opportunity to visit the Hospital Complex and School of Nursing of their twin town Arras.

The group were given a grand welcome at the Town Hall by the Major of Arras and proceeded to visit the Centre hospital d’Arras and the school of nursing. The hospital director and director of nursing welcomed the Ipswich team and all were impressed by the facilities in the new hospital, especially the robots used to deliver materials around the hospital. Opportunities were given to discuss and compare nurse training, nursing care and practices and to visit various clinical and teaching areas, as well as the opportunity to share information and ask questions about a different health care system.

Team with director of the hospita Carol Smith, Associate Dean for the UCS School of Nursing and Wellbeing said, "The two day visit was too short, but key relationships have been built between the French and English organisations, with return visits now being planned. I would like to thank the town twinning committee for organising this wonderful opportunity and providing a stepping stone for further professional links with our European partners."

She went onto say, "We were truly impressed by the new hospital and the technologies and innovations incorporated into its running. We were given an impressive talk about the healthcare systems and the management of the hospital by its director 'Monsieur Thepot' delivered to us totally in English and unscripted, and we wish to thank him for patiently answering all our questions."

Notes to Editors:

  1. University Campus Suffolk is a partnership between the University of East Anglia and the University of Essex, working with Lowestoft College, Great Yarmouth College, Otley College, Suffolk New College and West Suffolk College.
  2. The development is also supported by Suffolk County Council, Ipswich Borough Council and the East of England Development Agency.
  3. The first students enrolled at UCS in September 2007.
  4. The first landmark building on the Ipswich Waterfront will open in September 2008.