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Two of the largest employers in �������� have today strengthened their relationship even further by signing a new strategic partnership agreement.

Professor Graham Galbraith, Vice-Chancellor of the ��������, and Mark Cubbon, Chief Executive of �������� Hospitals NHS Trust (PHT), signed the agreement at an event at the University today (Tuesday 5 November 2019).

The joint 2020-25 vision statement outlines how the two organisations will work together over the next five years to enhance both clinical and academic excellence to improve the health and wellbeing of people in the communities they serve.

Next steps include introducing three Clinical Chairs in the areas of emergency medicine, stroke and dementia and respiratory medicine, supporting further improvements in emergency and stroke care while working to further improve the long term health of the local population through respiratory care.

Professor Graham Galbraith, Vice-Chancellor at the ��������, added: “It is a decade since the �������� and �������� Hospitals NHS Trust signed a formal partnership agreement. This new statement further enhances our joint clinical and academic excellence to improve the health and wellbeing of the people in our local communities.

“Expanding the provision of joint healthcare education, training and research will enhance the reputation of the University and the Trust, drive both academic research and clinical innovation, and help address the workforce challenges of the local healthcare system.”

Mark Cubbon, Chief Executive at �������� Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “I am delighted that we have been able to sign this strategic partnership agreement which will strengthen our relationship with the �������� even further for the benefit of the communities we serve. The development of our partnership will enable us to create new and exciting opportunities for our staff, patients and students such as degree apprenticeships and cutting edge training that will equip participants with the skills needed for the future. 

By working together, this agreement will give us the chance to develop innovative solutions to challenges in healthcare. We look forward to working with our colleagues at the university and we are committed to the next phase of our journey together.”

This partnership agreement aims to make both the Trust and the University centres of excellence for collaborative education, training and innovation. To achieve this, the partnership will enable a step change in the volume and type of research undertaken by supporting new capacity, projects and infrastructure to deliver excellent research that is relevant to local people.

It will specialise in new healthcare technologies and their application and share education and training opportunities to benefit staff and students. The University has also pledged to support the Trust in any future application for university hospital status.

Anoop Chauhan, Director of Research and Innovation at �������� Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “I am very happy that our work with the University has been extended through the signing of this joint vision statement. By working together, the University and the Trust can exchange the knowledge from our research projects to help improve outcomes for patients. My ambition is that every patient that comes into QA Hospital will have the opportunity to participate in a research trial or innovation that has been created jointly with the ��������.

“We can innovate as one team to create better healthcare products and solutions, better environments and ultimately benefit the wellbeing of our wider system. We can also embed this knowledge into our teaching and clinical practices to provide the most up to date and exciting education for both students and clinicians.”

Professor Bob Nichol, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) at the ��������, said: “I’m excited about the impact we can have together on our community and society in general. By working together our new knowledge could affect the lives of many and that must be great motivation for us all."