£1.9m education plan revealed for Sutton Coldfield's Good Hope Hospital

Proposals submitted to Birmingham City Council would see the conversion of an existing squash court building within the grounds of the hospital, near Bedford Road, to create the centre, plus second level extension and entrance canopy.

A spokesperson for University Hospitals Birmingham said: “This £1.9 million investment will see the development of state-of-the-art education facilities at Good Hope Hospital to support the clinicians of the future, our workforce, and local people.

"It will enable more people from across our workforce, and our communities, to seize and maximise the opportunities to learn and develop in the huge range of rewarding and fulfilling careers in the NHS.”

Under proposals put to planning, the hospital says the current squash court is no longer used for its original purpose and is used as a ancillary storage area.

"The Trust's Education Centre which is run by Heartlands Education Centre Limited has increased the medical student capacity on the site therefore, requires an expansion of its facilities to accommodate students from an additional medical school, Aston," a statement adds.

"Plus, due to an increase in commissioning numbers, this has led to an expansion of students numbers across all year groups from our existing medical school UoB (University of Birmingham)

"It is proposed to utilise the squash court building for seminar rooms and associated facilities."

The proposed new Education Centre would incorporate a single storey extension to allow two seminar rooms.

The ground floor of the squash courts would incorporate a new feature entrance, reception office and toilet facilities.

A new mezzanine structure would allow two further meeting and seminar rooms and support space.

A disabled platform lift would allow disabled access to the first floor.

A statement continues: "The new proposals does not increase the demand for car parking on the site as the students who will be using the new facility are using public transport to access the hospital.

"The proposals do not infringe on any access for Emergency Services and does not affect access for pedestrians or patients."

Up to 40% of Aston University’s medical students come from a widening participation programme, including local students from the Sir Doug Ellis Pathway to Healthcare Programme.

A grant from University Hospitals Birmingham Charity will upgrade the Education Centre on the Good Hope Hospital site as part of the plans.