Official opening for new Daphne Steele Building

Pictured above from left to right are Professor Bob Cryan (University of Huddersfield Vice-Chancellor), Sir George Buckley (University of Huddersfield Chancellor), Robert Steele, Karin Smyth MP, Dr Sarah Jarvis, Harpreet Uppal MP

The Daphne Steele Building, named after a trailblazing figure in UK healthcare, has been officially opened at the University of Huddersfield’s National Health Innovation Campus (NHIC).

The six-storey building bears the name of the Guyana-born nurse who became the first Black matron to be appointed in the NHS in 1964, with the opening ceremony attended by her son Robert Steele.

The overall NHIC project will help to improve health outcomes and lead innovation in healthcare for the North of England. It is bringing together public-facing facilities including award-winning student-led clinics, and will be a focus for entrepreneurial academic activity, serving the regional and wider health economy in strong public-private partnerships. Specialist clinical teaching facilities will provide unparalleled support for workforce development.

The Daphne Steele Building features state-of-the-art equipment and facilities for the University's midwifery, nursing, occupational therapy, operating department practice, paramedic science, physiotherapy, podiatry and speech and language therapy courses. 

Construction at the seven-acre site on Southgate, close to the University campus, began in early 2023. The University has planning permission for up to seven buildings for NHIC, with construction of the next, the Emily Siddon Building, now under way with completion estimated for late 2025. This second building will host a Community Diagnostic Centre, part of Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust, providing local patients with a range of diagnostic tests, including MRI and CT scans.

Also in attendance at the opening were medical expert, broadcaster and Huddersfield Visiting Professor Dr Sarah Jarvis, Minister of State at the Department of Health and Social Care Karin Smyth MP and Harpreet Uppal, MP for Huddersfield.

Among the new facilities already being used are:

• High fidelity skill labs that can replicate busy healthcare settings including a hospital ward
• The University’s award-winning podiatry clinic
• A gait analysis lab
• The ‘Simbulance’ – an ambulance simulator used by Paramedic Science students
• Quiet study and work spaces for students and staff
• A café for students, staff and visitors, and social spaces.

“Daphne was a true pioneer of healthcare, and she was renowned for her expertise, care and compassion, which are all as as relevant now as they were when she was working in the NHS,” said University Chancellor Sir George Buckley.

“We are humbled that Robert and the Steele family have allowed us to help to inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals by naming this wonderful new facility in Daphne's honour.”

Daphne’s son Robert Steele added, “I had seen the images of what the building would look like, but to be here in the flesh has surpassed everything that I thought it would be. Looking at some of these cutting-edge facilities, getting a feel for how this will affect the local community, training the next generation of healthcare professionals, underlines that it is a truly wonderful resource.”

Karin Smyth MP said, “This building pays tribute to the countless contributions of migrant workers who have played a crucial role in the NHS since its creation over 75 years ago. Their dedication and commitment are foundational to the health service we rely on today, and I am proud that we are recognising this legacy here.

“The University of Huddersfield has also shown remarkable dedication, investing significant resources alongside the Office for Students funding. Together, these contributions underscore the commitment from all sides to building a future-ready health service that is equipped to serve communities across the region and the country.”