LABOUR Party leader Keir Starmer was quizzed by the next generation of health and social care workers when he visited Middlesbrough College on Friday (April 21).
Sir Keir came to the college to speak with some of the students on the College’s many health and social care courses as part of the Labour Party’s campaign on the future of the NHS and healthcare.
During a question and answer session, students asked the Labour Party leader questions on a range of topics including mental health, emergency care, pay and conditions and training.
Sir Keir told the students how important they were to the future of the NHS and healthcare.
He said: “You are very much part of our plans to get the NHS fit for the future.
“We need more staff within the NHS so we plan to double the number of training places available and help create the biggest expansion of the NHS workforce in its history.
“It’s great to be able to see that next generation of health and social care workers coming through at Middlesbrough College – what you are doing is really inspiring.”
Zoe Lewis, principal and chief executive of Middlesbrough College Group, said: “It was a pleasure for us to host the visit of Sir Keir Starmer and to give our students the opportunity to question the Labour Party leader about his vision for the future of health and social care in this country.
“We are proud to be playing our part in teaching and inspiring the next generation of health and social care professionals who we hope will go on to have long and successful careers in the sector.
“We run a wide range of courses in health and social care stretching from introductory tuition, apprenticeships, adult courses, distance learning through to advanced level diplomas and including the new T-Level Technical Qualification in Health.
“We currently have 1000 students on health and social care courses and previous Middlesbrough College students have progressed to careers in nursing, midwifery, biomedical science, speech and language therapy, youth work, support work, community care, social care and physiotherapy.
“As a College with strong relationships with health and social care employers including James Cook Hospital, North Tees Hospital, Thirteen Group, Teesside Hospice & Priory Woods, it was also useful for us to hear the Labour Party’s plans for health and social care.”
One of the largest colleges in the North East of England, Middlesbrough College offers a range of vocational and academic courses in every occupational sector area, from entry level through to Level 7 postgraduate qualifications.
The College’s mission is to provide education and skills that enhance the region’s economic and social prosperity.
Its £100m campus is home to more than 1,000 staff and has a student population of over 15,000, including around 2,200 apprentices placed with employers across the region.
