York at the cutting edge of surgery training

Europe's biggest maker of replacement hips is building the multi-million-pound facility in its medical research centre at York Science Park, in Heslington, to train surgeons in the latest techniques and develop new devices.

Once complete, demonstrations of surgical techniques will be broadcast around the globe in high definition from a simulated operating theatre. Surgeons will also be able to watch operations remotely in an 82-seat auditorium and train in a 14-station wet laboratory.

The centre is due to open by the summer and aims to train 1,500 surgeons annually.

"Surgery is part skill and part art," said Michael Frazzette, president of S&N's endoscopy division. "If you ask any surgeon, they are always trying to learn new skills and be educated. They continue to work with companies to further refine their techniques, and that helps us understand what their needs are and to research the right types of instruments.

"As they are developing that technique, we will be able to develop the instrument. It's a very symbiotic relationship.

"It's an ongoing process – as technology evolves and improves, we've constantly got to keep the education channels open."

As well as developing replacement joints, S&N also designs treatments for trauma victims, such as plates to mend broken bones.

Its Hull-based Advanced Wound Management business designs and makes hi-tech treatments for hard-to-heal wounds. The group is also a leader in endoscopy or keyhole surgery equipment.

The centre will cater for all of these skills, plus have the flexibility to expand into other surgical specialisms.

S&N declined to specify how much it is investing in the centre, but Mr Frazzette said it will be "world-class". It will employ three full-time staff, bringing the research centre's total staff to more than 130.

Courses being developed include arthroscopy – keyhole surgery to examine and treat a damaged joint. Other courses will develop the latest techniques in trauma surgery.

Mr Frazzette said the centre is already attracting significant interest from surgeons keen to join courses. About 60 per cent of the centre's surgeons will be from the UK, with the rest from Europe.

"Surgeon education is a big driver for our business and something we invest heavily in around the world," he said.

"There's high demand by surgeons to get training and become more proficient."

Professor Nicola Spence, chief executive of Science City York, said the investment underline's York's position as a leading science city.

"They are world leaders in regenerative medical technology and they could have gone anywhere in the world for this particular initiative," she said.

"They chose to come to York to get access to a world-class university, links to Hull York Medical School, and other companies in the region."

Dr Chris Henshall, pro-vice-chancellor for external relations at the University of York, said: "The University of York welcomes this exciting development on the University Science Park and the opportunities it provides for collaboration between a major international health care company and a world-leading university around surgical skills training and the development of improved medical devices and techniques."

Birth of a bioscience cluster

Smith & Nephew was the first company to set up at York Science Park when it established a medical research centre in the city in 1993.

It is part of Bioscience York, a body established in 1995, which aims to help York's growth by providing business start-up support and promoting infrastructure that helps bioscience enterprises thrive.

Bioscience York, part of Science City York, has grown to a network of more than 130 organisations throughout York and the surrounding area, including more than 80 bioscience businesses. The bioscience cluster employs a total of more than 3,800 people in and around York.

Among the other companies at York Science Park are global engineer Gutteridge Haskins & Davey, design firm Alpha Graphics and diagnostic imaging firm Alliance Medical.