Originally published 3 February 2004

Today NHSU has announced the result of its national call for collaboration in August 2003 to which 80 universities responded. The University of Warwick will be its principal national academic partner, together with 11 further regional academic partners, working mainly in consortia. These partners will assist with and contribute to NHSU's aim of transforming learning within health and social care.

NHSU is the new 'corporate university' for the NHS. It aims to open up learning and development opportunities for more than 1.2 million people who work for and with the NHS and the social care sector. With all programmes focused on improving patient care, its initial plans include a corporate induction programme for all those joining the NHS, advanced communications for cancer care, junior scholarships to encourage 14-19 year olds into a career in healthcare, and First Contact to support healthcare professionals in effective delivery. NHSU will work closely with partners, from NHS trusts and Strategic Health Authorities and social care organisations to education providers, private contractors and representative bodies, to deliver learning for health and social care.

The rich mix of academic partners will lead to the development of new courses, learner support, teaching methods, practice and delivery - including e-learning, work-based learning, knowledge creation and research. The principal partnership with the University of Warwick is intended to help shape and support the academic programmes and processes of NHSU and aid the progression towards its goal of achieving full university title. These partnerships are in addition to NHSU's existing strategic alliances with the Open University, Ufi/Learndirect and UK e-Universities plc.

The Vice-Chancellor said: "We are delighted to be chosen as the principal academic partner. This is a fantastic challenge, and we will work, along with Coventry and Leicester universities, to help create and shape a quality university level resource for the 1.6 million staff in the NHS."

Bob Fryer, Chief Executive, NHSU said: "In response to the call for academic partners, we felt that the University of Warwick's bid to become our principal academic partner was the most comprehensive and exciting. The further 11 regional academic partners are made up of very strong consortia which draw on the strengths of the country's higher and further education institutions, as well as incorporating the expertise of the NHS and social care organisations."

"These partnerships, along with NHSU existing strategic alliances, will enhance our capacity to attract high quality staff, allow us to expand the range of courses that we offer and enable us to reach out to a much wider audience. NHSU has placed an emphasis on partnership work and we aim to continue to operate with partners in pursuit of developing our educational objectives."

Warwick brings a number of distinctive academic strengths to this new partnership - particularly its highly regarded teaching programmes in Primary Care, its expertise in life long learning and adult education, and its extensive experience in management and leadership development in the public sector.

Warwick has also been chosen as one of the 11 regional academic partners in partnership with the University of Leicester and Coventry University.

For more information see the press release