Ten universities and one charity have been awarded £250,000 to develop healthcare education and build the region's 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 the organisations that educate professionals (nurses, doctors and radiographers etc) across the East Midlands, as part of its first ever Higher Education Institution (HEI) Challenge Award.

The award will support local universities to develop their ways of working together, to share, develop, showcase and spread 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 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, and social networking for patient-patient, clinician-patient or clinician-clinician communication and interaction. In addition to this there will be the use of mobile technologies for just in time access to learning resources

3. Improving understanding and team working between different professions and fields of expertise through shared learning experiences. There will be clear collaboration across the involved institutions

The organisations all contribute to the education and training of health professionals in the East Midlands: University of Derby, De Montfort University, University of Leicester, University of Lincoln, Loughborough University, The University of Northampton, The University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University, along with The University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University. They will be supported by Education for Health, the world's leading charity involved with the education of health professionals, who focus 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 study, train and work in"

The funding will be concentrated on sharing the rich innovation and expertise across the region to enhance the education outcomes and experience of staff and learners working in healthcare. This will also ensure that the future needs of local employers are met and encourage more students to remain in the region following their training – addressing some current issues in retaining high quality staff who train here and providing a great boost for the regional economy.

Professor Niro Siriwardena of The University of Lincoln is leading the project. He said: "This ground-breaking project is a major milestone for health education in our region: it is the first time we have all come together to lead such a major project 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 the ways to improve healthcare quality. This in turn will lead to improvements in the care of East Midlands patients through new and innovative approaches to care."

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PHOTO: 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, Dr Coral Sirdifield, University of Lincoln


Notes to editors

East Midlands Academic Health Science Network (EMAHSN)

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 obesity, diabetes, mental health, respiratory disease, stroke and support for frail older people.


Health Education East Midlands (HEEM)

Part of Health Education England (HEE), was established in April 2013. Their goal is to develop a high quality, safe and sustainable workforce to meet the healthcare needs of the people 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


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