A new education centre dedicated to supporting the growth and development of healthcare staff across UHSussex has officially opened its doors.
The Douglas Chamberlain Education Centre, named in honour of the pioneering cardiologist and educator, was formally opened at the Royal Sussex County Hospital at start of March. The centre will provide a hub for learning, innovation, and development for colleagues in every role across the Trust.
Martyn Clark, Director of Integrated Education, said: “The opening of the Douglas Chamberlain Education Centre is a significant moment for colleagues across UHSussex. We named the centre after Professor Douglas Chamberlain because of his pioneering work, commitment to teaching, and his impact on patient care which embody the values this space stands for.”
The centre offers a range of learning environments, from lecture theatres to teaching and training rooms, supporting high-quality education and training for all colleagues, in every role, across the Trust.
Remembering Professor Douglas Chamberlain
Professor Chamberlain was a gifted teacher who was patient, insightful and always curious. He worked as a consultant cardiologist at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, and he taught as Honorary Advisor to the South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust and London Ambulance Service NHS Trust. Alongside these roles, he helped found the Resuscitation Council UK and the European Resuscitation Council.
Helping shape the modern paramedic profession, he believed ambulance crews should be trained in advanced resuscitation skills, which led to Brighton becoming home to the UK’s first paramedic trained teams in the early 1970s. He went even further by teaching resuscitation skills to more than 100,000 volunteers in his local community.
Alongside his professional achievements, Professor Chamberlain is remembered for his warmth, laughter, and the genuine care he held for those he taught and worked alongside.
Professor Rob Galloway, Emergency Medicine Consultant at UHSussex and Honorary Clinical Professor, Brighton & Sussex Medical School (BSMS), said: “Douglas was one of the true giants of modern medicine. A cardiologist who helped change the way the world responds to cardiac arrest. His work on resuscitation, emergency care and the development of paramedic training has saved countless lives across the globe.
“But what made Douglas so remarkable was not just the scale of his achievements – it was his belief that knowledge should be shared, and that education has the power to transform patient care.
“The education centre that now bears his name is therefore a perfect tribute. A place dedicated to learning, collaboration and improving care for patients – exactly the things Douglas spent his life championing.
“I was lucky enough to do research with Douglas, who was a prolific researcher and was still updating his CV in 2021! He was my hero, but also my friend.”
The official opening was attended by around 50 people including Professor Chamberlain’s family, former colleagues, and the charity he founded, Sussex Heart Charity, who all came to mark this great day.
As a Trust, we are always learning and this year will see the launch of a new Integrated Education Plan, focused on building a sustainable, highly skilled workforce by strengthening education and training for everyone.
At University Hospitals Sussex, we remain committed to providing excellent care everywhere and the Douglas Chamberlain Education Centre will deliver training and education for everyone, every day, as one UHSussex.