Plans for the University of Salford’s new health building on Frederick Road campus have received approval from Salford City Council, signalling the commencement of construction in late October.
The new facility will serve as a health and wellbeing hub central to the university estate, housing popular healthcare courses such as podiatry, prosthetics and orthotics, sports rehabilitation, occupational therapy, and sport science. Additionally, it will be utilised by Salford staff or students engaged in health and wellbeing activities.
The building is intended to be a community focal point for public services provided by the university’s partners. Initiatives under consideration include mother and child health sessions, weight management clinics, and various wellbeing forums. This aligns with the university’s commitment to mitigating health and social inequalities and addressing the NHS workforce challenges.
Prof Vicky Halliwell, Deputy Dean at the School of Health and Society, remarked, ‘Our health building will be one of the gems in the expanding University of Salford estate. Every year we train thousands of students to work in the healthcare sector in both the NHS, social care and beyond. Now our academics, students and researchers will be able to enjoy their time in Salford even more, in our state-of-the-art teaching environment.’
The building will be entirely electric and highly sustainable, targeting BREEAM Excellent and WELL Gold standards. It will feature an appealing roof space, terraces, a daylight-flooded atrium, and extensive indoor planting to promote wellbeing and healthy living. Larger spaces will be available for booking by community groups, staff, and students for therapeutic activities, complemented by green pathways and relaxing outdoor areas.
Construction firm Kier, in collaboration with AHR Architects, is developing the building, which will be situated behind the Mary Seacole building, adjacent to Salford Crescent train station. The university intends to name the building through a forthcoming process. This development is a crucial component of the university’s multimillion-pound Campus Connectivity Plan, benefiting staff, students, and the local community. Moreover, it complements Salford City Council’s Crescent development scheme.
As part of the School of Health and Society, the largest school at the university with over 8,400 students, this new building underscores the institution’s emphasis on health education and community wellbeing.
Construction for the University of Salford’s new health building is set to begin imminently, with expectations to complete by autumn 2026. This significant development is poised to enhance the university’s educational facilities and community services, reflecting its ongoing commitment to addressing health inequalities and NHS workforce challenges.