LJMU enhancing clinical care through partnership

01 February 2011

Liverpool John Moores University and St Helens & Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust have formed a unique partnership which will be the catalyst for a series of joint innovative ventures to optimise clinical practice and the delivery of high quality care.

The formal launch event on Friday 28 January 2011 was opened by Professor Kevin Hardy, Director of Clinical Strategy and visiting Professor of Diabetic Medicine at LJMU. Professor Hardy stated:
 
“We are thoroughly delighted at this collaboration between the University and the hospital. There is a growing portfolio of joint academic and educational initiatives between our two organisations and we fully expect further success in the year ahead.”

This joint Partnership Agreement between the Trust and the University is underpinned by a common vision to enrich both clinical and academic workforces, and a shared purpose to develop and conduct high quality, collaborative health and health-related education, research and enterprise activities. Joint Working for Effective Research Governance has been introduced to ensure high standards of research management, administration and governance, recognising that all clinical and medical research involving the two organisations must adhere to the legal and ethical framework set for research and comply with Good Clinical Practice incorporated into UK legislation.

Joint projects currently include the development of programmes to develop essential skills and expertise for community-based health professionals, diagnostics to identify people at risk of heart attack and research aimed at improving the quality of life and clinical outcomes for people with chronic neurological disorders. Plans for a new facility to enhance clinical and surgical skills in human anatomy teaching, enabling surgical procedures to take place in simulated theatre settings are also underway.

LJMU Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Professor Michael Brown, commented:

“Liverpool John Moores University is pleased to be in this close partnership with the Trust – providing opportunities for productive and impactful joint research and the development and refinement of best practice and service. In particular, through our close partnership working, our students – the critically-important health professionals of the future – will be able to develop their high-level personal and professional skills in addition to their subject knowledge and understanding. This will equip them uniquely for successful careers in the health professions, in line with the University’s general approach to ensuring that our graduates can uniquely demonstrate certified high-level World of Work (WoW®) skills.”

Ann Marr, Chief Executive, St Helens & Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust said:

“It is a great honour for the Trust to enter this partnership with such an esteemed organisation. The benefits will be the exchange of expertise, knowledge and ideas amongst our respective experts, including the people who use our hospitals. This will give us the opportunity to undertake joint research, hold educational events and share learning which will enhance health promotion and healthcare services for the local community”.

Pictured from left to right (back row): Professor Godfrey Mazhindu, Mr Rod Hill, Professor Paulo Lisboa, Professor Kevin Hardy
(front row): Ann Marr, Professor Michael Brown