Coventry University has reopened its Alison Gingell building in Warwickshire to help the NHS train staff in the fight against Covid-19.

The building, which houses the faculty of health and life sciences, will be opened for two days initially, from 2-3 April to train medical students to undertake new clinical responsibilities with South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust (SWFT).

Coventry University is providing its staff – including cleaners, facilities managers, security, catering, and technicians – to help support the training activities. 

The university has shut its Coventry campus buildings and move teaching and learning online which has left the building free. 

It was opened in January 2018 by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

John Latham, Coventry University vice-chancellor, said: “We are delighted to support SWFT, one of our key practice partners, by reopening the Alison Gingell building for the training of staff who are taking up new clinical roles. We are providing access to our space, simulation equipment and teaching resources where needed. The large building will enable social distancing to be maintained, in line with the government’s guidance.”

He added: “We are very keen to support SWFT in as many ways as possible. We work incredibly closely together to develop and prepare large numbers of health care students, many of whom have clinical placements within SWFT.”

Hannah Webber, clinical education fellow at Warwick Hospital, said: “We are very proud of our final-year medical students stepping up to take on a new role on the wards, providing valuable assistance to the nursing and medical teams. Starting such a role during a pandemic is undoubtedly daunting, but their commitment to supporting the NHS at such an unpredictable time has been inspirational. We’re incredibly grateful to the team at Coventry University for supporting their development, and we look forward to watching them flourish.”