£250,000 awarded to university & charity partners to develop healthcare education
and build the East Midlands’ reputation as a great place to study, train and work.
The East Midlands Academic Health Science Network (EMAHSN) in partnership with Health
Education East Midlands, has awarded £250,000 to organisations that educate professionals
(including nurses, doctors and radiographers) across the East Midlands, as part of its first
ever Higher Education Institution (HEI) Challenge Award.
The award will support 10 local universities to develop ways of working together: sharing,
developing, showcasing and spreading their work relating to healthcare training and
education.
The funding will be used in three main areas:
1. Involving patients and carers in shaping course content, developing teaching tools
and materials, offering feedback and developing role play in simulated learning
scenarios, helping ensure future professionals are better able to meet the healthcare
needs of East Midlands residents
2. Using technology to develop new ways of working in education such as high quality
online content, educational games, electronic portfolios and personal development
plans, along with social networking to build patient-patient, clinician-patient or
clinician-clinician communication
3. Improving understanding and team working between different professions and fields
of expertise through shared learning experiences.
The organisations all contribute to the education and training of health professionals in the
East Midlands:
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University of Derby
De Montfort University
University of Leicester
University of Lincoln
Loughborough University
University of Northampton
University of Nottingham
Nottingham Trent University
University of Sheffield
Sheffield Hallam University
They will be supported by Education for Health, the world’s leading charity involved with the
education of health professionals, which focuses on training as a key factor in improving
patient health and quality of life.
It will be the first time all 11 organisations have worked together across the whole region on
a joint project.
Managing Director of the East Midlands Academic Health Science Network, Rachel Munton,
said:
“The East Midlands has a deserved reputation for healthcare education and training – and it
is also a great place to live and work. Our Higher Education Institution Challenge Award sits
at the very heart of what the East Midlands Academic Health Science Network is all about;
supporting health innovation and wealth creation through the development of partnerships
and collaborations.
“We’re thrilled to be working with all eleven organisations on this initiative and it really
demonstrates how committed we all are to making the East Midlands a great place in which
to study, train and work.
“The funding will be used to share innovation and expertise across the region, enhancing the
education outcomes and experiences of staff and learners working in healthcare. This will
also help ensure the future needs of local employers are met and will provide a boost for our
economy – encouraging more students to stay in the region following their training and
addressing current issues in retaining high quality staff.”
Professor Niro Siriwardena of The University of Lincoln is leading the partnership. He said:
“This ground-breaking project is a major milestone for health education in our region as it is
the first time we have all come together to lead such a major initiative that will have benefits
throughout the East Midlands.
“We believe it will lead to an improved student experience, and to more people undertaking
postgraduate study and research in ways to improve healthcare quality. This in turn will lead
to improvements in the care of East Midlands patients through new and innovative
approaches.”
- ENDS –
PHOTO CAPTION: pictured from the left: Dr Gina Manning Dr Helen Best, Sheffield Hallam
University, Professor Shelagh Brumfitt, University of Sheffield, Anne Marlow, Health
Education East Midlands, Rhian Last, Education for Health, Professor Niro Siriwardena,
University of Lincoln, Sue Bowler, University of Lincoln and Dr Coral Sirdifield, University of
Lincoln
Notes to editors:
East Midlands Academic Health Science Network (EMAHSN) is one of 15 Academic
Health Science Networks in England. EMAHSN brings together the NHS, universities,
industry and social care to transform the health of the region’s 4.5M residents and stimulate
wealth. Current priorities focus on identifying and spreading innovations that address health
challenges including cancer, obesity, diabetes, mental health, respiratory disease, stroke
and support for frail older people. For more information visit www.emahsn.org.uk
Health Education East Midlands (HEEM) is part of Health Education England (HEE) and
was established in April 2013. HEEM’s goal is to develop a high quality, safe and
sustainable workforce to meet the healthcare needs of the East Midlands. By working closely
with stakeholders, they act as a regional ‘convenor’ bringing people together across NHS,
social care and the third sector to deliver the best possible services and outcomes for
patients. HEEM covers the counties of Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland, Lincolnshire,
Northamptonshire and Nottinghamshire. For more visit: www.em.hee.nhs.uk
Media enquiries: Chris Taylor 0115 748 4242 / 07738 151 041 or email
chris.taylor@nottingham.ac.uk