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University and Hospital Trust Announce New Partnership

11/10/2019
University and Hospital Trust Announce New Partnership

Two of Wolverhampton's biggest employers have joined forces to launch a new strategic partnership.

The University of Wolverhampton and The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust signed the new agreement at an event at New Cross Hospital on Thursday. (October 10 2019)

The two organisations already work together on a number of initiatives but this new partnership formalises the relationship and paves the way to expand existing links and form closer working across a number of strategic areas.

The University is the largest health, nursing and midwifery provider in the region and is at the forefront of health related education and research while the trust has a longstanding commitment to research, development, learning and innovation.

The partnership will look at the potential for future research links and joint projects as well as developing collaborative activity around student recruitment, placements, clinical fellowships, combined training and facilities, joint staff appointments and exchanges, apprenticeships and ongoing continuous professional development.

A five year strategic plan will be developed and funding will be sought to support activity.

Professor Geoff Layer, Vice- Chancellor of the University of Wolverhampton said: "We are delighted to formalise and strengthen our relationship with The Royal Wolverhampton Trust.

"We are already involved in various work together but we wanted to make a joint commitment to map out what we already deliver and what more we can do to support our local communities.

"We are training more and more health professionals including nurses and midwives, many of which will carry out placements and go on to work within the trust and local area. We are also providing apprenticeship routes and opportunities in nursing, nursing associates and through the chartered manager scheme.

"We are also excited about developing our collaboration in joint research and continuous professional development opportunities for staff from both organisations."

Dr David Loughton CBE, Chief Executive of the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, said: "Our Trust and the University of Wolverhampton have a long history of working closely together.

"This agreement provides a framework for collaborations between the two organisations across education, research and innovation.

"We are immensely proud of the growing partnership and we hope that many more patients and staff can benefit from our joint working."

One of the people benefitting from the partnership between the University and the Trust is Claire Reynolds, who is currently in her second year training to be a Nursing Associate Apprentice. Alongside her studies she works full time on the Children's Ward at New Cross Hospital and plans to become a registered nurse.

The 43-year-old from Bloxwich said: "It is hard work but it is good. Studying an apprenticeship is a great career option for people that want to progress. I have a mortgage and a child so I couldn't quit my job to do nursing, so this is a great alternative and I plan to come back and follow the pathway to become a Registered Nurse."

ENDS

 

For more information please contact the Corporate Communications Team.

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