Planning approval has been granted for the Birmingham Centre for Anatomy, Surgical and Clinical Skills (B-CASCS), a cutting-edge healthcare training facility designed by UK-based architects BDP for the University of Birmingham.
The new centre will play a central role in strengthening the West Midlands’ reputation as a national hub for life sciences and medical innovation.
Located within No.1 Birmingham Health Innovation Campus (BHIC), the 50,000 sqft facility will complement the University’s Medical School and nearby hospitals.
Planning approval has been granted for the Birmingham Centre for Anatomy, Surgical and Clinical Skills
The new facility will also join the Precision Health Technologies Accelerator (PHTA), a collaborative environment that unites industry leaders and clinical academics to drive medical research and innovation.
Scheduled to commence on-site in May 2025, B-CASCS will provide state-of-the-art simulated learning environments for medical and healthcare students, featuring immersive training spaces equipped with green screens, integrated cameras, and mock clinical settings including consultation rooms, hospital wards, and surgical theatres.
BDP worked in close partnership with the University of Birmingham to evaluate strategic options for the Centre, ensuring that the design supports the university’s ambitions to modernise medical education provision and expand research capability across the health and life sciences sector.
Scheduled to commence on-site in May 2025, B-CASCS will provide state-of-the-art simulated learning environments for medical and healthcare students
The scheme forms part of the wider 10-acre Birmingham Health Innovation Campus masterplan, which aims to position the city as a leader in health and life sciences, providing dedicated facilities for research, training, and commercial collaboration.
BDP is an international interdisciplinary design practice headquartered in Manchester, with studios across the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands, Middle East, China, India, and North America.
The practice is highly active in the healthcare and education sectors, with a portfolio of projects that prioritise sustainable, future-ready environments for clinical care, research, and training.
Architect Director of BDP, Svetlana Solomonova, said: “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, [the centre] will give students and NHS partners the hands-on experience they need to develop their skills and confidence.”
Professor Neil Hanley, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College of Medicine and Health, University of Birmingham, said: "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."
Top image: University of Birmingham Centre for Anatomy Surgical and Clinical Skills Clinical Skills Hub