For Immediate release
New College Durham (NCD) has officially reopened its Bishop Auckland Podiatry Clinic following a major £250,000 refurbishment programme, reinforcing its commitment to podiatry education, patient care and workforce development.
The upgraded facility was formally unveiled during a special event attended by Andy Broadbent, Principal and Chief Executive, New College Durham and Coreen Beckford, Head of Education and Academic Quality Assurance at the Royal College of Podiatry, alongside college governors, staff, students, healthcare partners and invited guests.
The investment has transformed the clinic enhancing clinical teaching environments, modernising treatment rooms and improving patient facilities. The refurbishment ensures students continue to learn in settings that reflect contemporary podiatric practice while supporting high-quality care for local communities.
Andy Broadbent congratulated the organisers of the event saying,
“The reopening of our Bishop Auckland Podiatry Clinic marks a significant milestone for New College Durham and reflects our continued determination to provide outstanding learning environments that benefit both students and our wider community.
“The college has developed a proud national reputation for podiatry education, built over more than five decades of excellence and we are delighted to welcome the Royal College of Podiatry to celebrate this important development. Their support here today highlights our shared commitment to advancing podiatry education, improving patient outcomes and promoting the vital contribution podiatrists make to the health and wellbeing of communities across the UK.”
The reopening comes as New College Durham celebrates 50 years of podiatry education, having trained generations of practitioners who now work throughout the NHS, private practice and specialist healthcare settings across the UK. The college’s podiatry clinics in Durham and Bishop Auckland provide valuable supervised clinical experience for students while delivering a wide range of services to the public, including diabetic foot assessments, biomechanics, nail surgery and routine podiatric care.
Speaking at the reopening, Coreen Beckford, Head of Education & Academic Quality Assurance at The Royal College of Podiatry (RCPod) said:
“High-quality clinical learning environments are fundamental to developing the next generation of podiatrists. It is great to see New College Durham continuing to invest in facilities that support both excellent student learning and outstanding patient care. Our profession plays a critical role in maintaining mobility, preventing complications and improving quality of life, particularly as we respond to the challenges of an ageing population and increasing rates of long-term conditions such as diabetes.”
Tracy Walker, Head of Curriculum for Podiatry at New College Durham, added:
“This investment represents far more than a refurbishment. It demonstrates the college’s commitment to ensuring students, patients and healthcare partners benefit from facilities that reflect the realities of modern podiatric practice.”
“The Bishop Auckland clinic has been serving the community and supporting student learning for many years, and this transformation ensures it will continue to play a vital role in developing highly skilled podiatrists for decades to come.”
“We are particularly proud that the reopening has been supported by colleagues from the Royal College of Podiatry. Their presence reflects the strong partnership between education providers and the professional body in ensuring that podiatry continues to thrive and meet growing healthcare needs.”
Demand for podiatry services continues to increase nationally, driven by an ageing population, rising rates of diabetes and greater recognition of the role podiatrists play in preventing serious lower-limb complications. As the profession focuses on expanding workforce capacity, investment in modern clinical education facilities is becoming increasingly important.
NCD’s BSc (Hons) Podiatry programme combines academic study, clinical practice and NHS placements, preparing graduates for professional registration and successful careers within the profession.
The reopening of the Bishop Auckland clinic further strengthens New College Durham’s reputation as one of the UK’s leading providers of podiatry education, supporting both the future workforce and the health and wellbeing of communities across the North East.