Planning approval for Birmingham Centre for Anatomy, Surgical and Clinical Skills
BDP's design for the Birmingham Centre for Anatomy, Surgical and Clinical Skills (B-CASCS) has been granted planning permission.
Located at the Birmingham Health Innovation Campus (BHIC), this cutting-edge healthcare training centre will provide state-of-the-art simulated learning environments for students at the University of Birmingham.
The Centre will occupy 50,000 sq ft within No.1 BHIC, offering medical and healthcare students the opportunity to hone their skills in realistic settings. Equipped with immersive simulation technologies including green screens, cameras, and mock hospital environments, B-CASCS will offer hands-on training in consultation rooms, hospital wards, and surgical theatres.
“This new Clinical Skills & Anatomy Centre will make a material difference to medical training at the University of Birmingham. With state-of-the-art simulation equipment, immersive AR and VR technologies, and modern anatomy facilities, it will give students and NHS partners the hands-on experience they need to develop their skills and confidence.
“The centre will bring students, educators, and healthcare professionals together in a space designed for collaboration and innovation. It will also create new opportunities for research, industry partnerships, and workforce development, strengthening the University’s role in shaping the future of healthcare. We are incredibly proud of a design that will go a long way to supporting the next generation of healthcare professionals in the West Midlands and we are delighted to see the project gain planning approval.”
"By establishing our Birmingham Centre for Anatomy, Surgical and Clinical Skills at BHIC, we are providing the next generation of healthcare professionals with access to essential cutting-edge facilities. These state-of-the-art resources will enable students and postgraduate trainees to engage in practical learning experiences that mirror real-world healthcare environments."
"We are delighted to welcome the University of Birmingham’s Centre for Anatomy, Surgical and Clinical Skills to BHIC, reinforcing our commitment to driving innovation and collaboration in the life sciences sector in the West Midlands. The Centre represents a transformative opportunity for aspiring healthcare professionals, providing students and postgraduate clinicians with unparalleled hands-on experience in a simulated environment, and opportunities for co-located companies to access the UK’s brightest healthcare minds."
The new facility will complement the University of Birmingham’s Medical School and nearby hospitals, further enhancing the West Midlands’ standing as a hub for life sciences innovation. It will also join the Precision Health Technologies Accelerator (PHTA), a collaborative environment that brings together industry leaders and clinical academics to advance medical research.
BDP worked closely with the University of Birmingham to evaluate strategic options for the Centre, ensuring the design supports the university’s ambitions to modernise medical education and expand research capabilities.
The project is scheduled to commence on-site in May 2025.
