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Relocation of School of Health Sciences

Views are being sought on the relocation of Ulster University’s School of Health Sciences, as the consultation re-opens.

Now, more than ever, we are acutely aware of the contribution of our allied health professionals in the context of a health service that faces such enormous challenge in response to COVID19.

We sincerely value the input of our many healthcare stakeholders, partners and colleagues and will work to ensure that responses and commentary received between February and April will be taken forward into this augmented consultation.

On these pages you will find the consultation materials including the EQIA process for review and consideration, and to inform your submissions.

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About this consultation

Ulster University is consulting on proposals to relocate the School of Health Sciences from the Jordanstown campus to one (or more) of its three other campuses, alongside an equality impact assessment (EQIA) which will separately consider the impact of each of the possible locations. These consultations will form the basis for the conclusion of a five-year process to implement the relocation of the School of Health Sciences, once it leaves its current base on the Jordanstown campus.

The augmented consultation will re-open on 1st September, with the EQIA open for 12 weeks and the location consultation running concurrently, but for a period of 14 weeks, closing on 6th December.

In addition to inviting online submissions, in order to facilitate an inclusive process in the context of the restrictions on face-to-face events arising from Covid-19, Ulster University will make available online engagement opportunities for interested parties. The views expressed during the consultation will be collated and made available on these web pages.

• Context

  In February 2020, Ulster University launched a consultation entitled “RELOCATION OF THE SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES”. This consultation focussed on three proposals to relocate the School of Health Sciences post graduate provision to the new Belfast Campus and undergraduate provision to either Belfast, Coleraine or Magee campuses.

  • After consultation with stakeholder groups it was agreed to pause this Relocation consultation pending preparations for a full EQIA assessment to be undertaken.
  • In September 2020 the relocation consultation document was relaunched alongside a full EQIA consultation.
  • Responses gathered as part of the initial relocation consultation will be carried forward and included in final decision process as part the relaunch relocation and EQIA consultation.
  • NI Executive approval in May 2020 and subsequent confirmation in July 2020 of ring-fenced funding for the Medical School at Magee campus, combined with the GMC’s recent review of the University's state of readiness, enables Ulster University to recruit staff and students for a September 2021 opening. Hailed as a game changer for the North West, the School of Medicine will attract graduates to study, work and live in the area and will train new doctors and help to address the ongoing medical work-force shortage in Northern Ireland.
  • Despite the ongoing Covid 19 lockdown, the development of the new Belfast campus has continued and has remained operational throughout.
• Advice to Respondents

  Short responses that just cover key issues that are important to respondents are as welcome as longer returns. It is acceptable and useful for respondents to produce a response that just covers the issues where they feel they can offer a unique perspective.

  • It is not necessary to answer every single question.
  • Responses from individuals are welcome. Many responses come from organisations but responses from service users or practitioners are equally welcome and are read in the same way as the others.
  • Collaborative and joint responses are encouraged.
  • Collaborative and joint responses can save time for the organisations involved. If this method saves time and means responses are sent that might otherwise not have been, then this approach is especially useful. Joint responses can also help us to understand how widely and strongly views are held.
  • Ensure you provide references for evidence and research used if it is unlikely that the University will have seen the evidence, or research, you are referring to in your response. You should ensure that it is referenced in full so we can look at it first-hand and in its entirety.
  • Be clear, succinct and jargon-free.
  • Responses will be logged, read and considered as soon as they arrive. With this in mind, it can be useful to try to submit your consultation before the deadline. Those received after the deadline cannot be considered.
  • Please consider responding to both the Consultation on the move of the School and the Equality Impact Assessment as this will help the University achieve a more considered outcome.

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Equality Screening

In accordance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 and commitments made within our Equality Scheme, the University has commenced equality screening in relation to this matter.

We would invite respondents to access and respond as appropriate to the equality screening template.