A NEW state-of-the-art facility for students studying nursing has been officially opened.

The Birkenhead based campus on Hamilton Street was opened by the Lord Bishop of Chester, the Rt Rev Dr Peter Forster on October 5.

Renamed after the first dean of University of Chester's faculty of health and social care and former vice-chancellor Professor Dorothy Marriss, Marriss House is a multi-million pound investment from the University.

Professor Angela Simpson, executive dean of the Faculty of Health and Social Care, said: “Nursing is a hugely rewarding career with opportunities to make a real difference to people’s lives.

"We look forward to working with our education partners on the Wirral to ensure that local people have opportunities to progress onto our undergraduate nursing programme based at Marriss House.”

The facility boasts a hi-tech hospital ward, virtual reality equipment, classrooms and a fully-stocked library.

Marriss House has already welcomed Adult Nursing BN (Hons) programme to the building.

Wirral Globe:

Professor Tim Wheeler; Professor Dorothy Marriss; Professor Angela Simpson and Rt Rev Dr Peter Forster.

Vice-Chancellor of the University of Chester Professor Tim Wheeler said: “Naming this building Marriss House is a fitting tribute to all Dorothy has done for the University.

“This facility is in the heart of Birkenhead and we aim to reach out to local residents looking to train as nurses as well as those continuing their professional development or renewing their skills.

"We will continue to work closely with our NHS partners to respond to the challenges of healthcare in the 21st century.”

Professor Marriss’ association with the University started in 1991 when, as director of Nursing and Midwifery Education at the Countess of Chester, she was jointly appointed by the then Chester College of Higher Education and North West Regional Health Authority, with a remit to merge the Nursing and Midwifery schools based in Chester, Wirral, Crewe and Macclesfield and transfer the provision to higher education.

The project was successfully completed in September 1992, at which time she became the dean of the new School of Nursing and Midwifery, which then expanded to include Social Work and wider healthcare education.

Professor Marriss said: “It took my breath away when the Vice-Chancellor discussed naming this grand facility after me.

"It offers state-of-the-art training to deliver the highest quality graduates to work in the health profession.”