Originally published 3 February 2004

NHSU has today (3 February 2004) 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.

This 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.

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."

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Warwick, Professor David VandeLinde 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."

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. It is also one of the UK's top 10 research universities and is regularly ranked in the top 5 for research. Warwick is also renowned within the University sector for having a strong culture of innovation and enterprise and a history of forging successful partnerships with both the public and private sectors.

About NHSU

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.

For more information please contact:

For NHSU
Tamsin Rosewell: 020 8528 1574 or tamsin.rosewell@nhsu.org.uk
Cherry Shaw: 020 8528 1623 or cherry.shaw@nhsu.org.uk

For the University of Warwick
Peter Dunn: 024 76 523708 or p.j.dunn@warwick.ac.uk

Notes to Editors

1. The following 11 bids for regional paertnerships have been approved :

• King's College London (lead partner), with London South Bank University, University of Greenwich, University of Kent and Canterbury Christ Church University College.
• University of Leeds (lead partner), with University of Bradford, University of Huddersfield, York St. John University College and Leeds Metropolitan University;
• Liverpool John Moores University (lead partner), with University of Liverpool, Edge Hill College of Higher Education, Chester College of High Education and Further Education partners;
• Sheffield Hallam University (lead partner), with University of Sheffield and Further Education partners.
• University of Birmingham (lead partner) with University College Worcester and University of Wolverhampton and Higher Education and NHS partners;
• University of Central Lancashire
• Higher Education Regional Development Association (HERDA) in the South West, a consortium of all the Higher Education Institutions in the South West region: University of Plymouth (lead partner) with University of the West of England; University of Gloucestershire; University of Exeter; University of Bristol; University of Bath; Open University in the South West; College of St Mark and St John; Bournemouth University and Bath Spa University College.
• University of Hull and University of York (equal partners)
• Middlesex University
• Northumbria University (lead partners) with University of Newcastle, University of Sunderland, University of Durham, University of Teeside and Open University in the North.
• University of Warwick, University of Leicester and Coventry University.

2. Academic partners will assist NHSU to:

• Collaborate on the development and delivery of academic programmes and learning services,
• Jointly develop programmes, modules and units of learning,
• Make joint academic appointments,
• Collaborate on issues of appropriate quality and standards procedures,
• Make arrangements for academic awards,
• Undertake joint research activity,
• Build an NHSU research infrastructure,
• Give advice and support on administrative and governance structures to progress to university title

3. About NHSU -

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.