University spearheads work to develop health research skills

The University of Plymouth’s Faulty of Health is working in partnership with NHS England South West to boost the number of research-active health and social care professionals
Developing a Research Skilled Workforce conference
Pictured at the Developing a Research Skilled Workforce conference (L-R): Professor Aled Jones, Head of the School of Nursing and Midwifery at the University of Plymouth; Dr Susie Pearce lead for the University of Plymouth’s work to implement the DRSW regional programme; Professor Ruth Endacott, NIHR Director of Nursing and Midwifery; Carrie Biddle, Regional Head of Allied Health Professions for NHS England; Dr Jo Cooper, Head of Nursing Research in the Chief Nursing Officer’s Policy and Strategy Unit for NHS England; Penny Smith, Director of Nursing Leadership and Quality, NHS England; and Dr Ralph Hammond, Senior Research Fellow for DRSW at the University of Plymouth.
Registered health and social care professionals (HCPs) make up a huge proportion of the NHS – but the proportion of them who facilitate, deliver or lead research is very low.
Now the University of Plymouth’s Faculty of Health – in partnership with NHS England South West – is leading on the implementation of a regional programme of work to ensure more HCPs have the skills to conduct and embed research into their practice.
The University welcomed delegates from across the South West to the regional conference, Celebrating and Developing a Research-Skilled Workforce. The event marked the outstanding work across the regional health and social care sectors to empower and develop practitioners to conduct clinical research for the benefit of services, patients and their families. 
The University hosted the Developing a Research Skilled Workforce project event, particularly highlighting its promotion of the NHS England South West strategic research workforce capacity and capability plan. It also highlighted the South West Clinical Schools, a long term commitment within its School of Nursing and Midwifery to partner with healthcare organisations across the peninsula to support health and social care professionals in developing clinical academic careers.
Health and social care professionals working across the NHS South West region attended the event to share the impact of their journeys so far. The event also welcomed key figures from across the national health and social care sectors including Professor Ruth Endacott, NIHR Director of Nursing and Midwifery; Dr Jo Cooper, Head of Nursing Research in the Chief Nursing Officer’s Policy and Strategy Unit for NHS England; Carrie Biddle, Regional Head of Allied Health Professions for NHS England; Penny Smith, Director of Nursing Leadership and Quality, NHS England; and Professor Steve Hams MBE, Chief Nursing Officer, North Bristol NHS Trust.
This regional work coincides with the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) recent announcement of an additional £30m per year to boost clinical research careers for health and social care professionals.

The involvement of a university is absolutely pivotal to ensure clinical research success, and it’s so inspiring to see what the University of Plymouth is doing.

All of us are here because we’ve had support from our respective academic and service providers. People can’t become clinical academics if they don’t have a really vibrant university community, and it’s really great to be part of the University of Plymouth’s work.
We have got an ongoing collaboration with the South West region to deliver on the Chief Nursing Officer’s national strategic plan for research, and organisations here are leading the way in nursing research. I support the region and they support our national vision, so together we’re paving the way for the future." 
Dr Jo Cooper, Head of Nursing Research in the Chief Nursing Officer’s Policy and Strategy Unit for NHS England, who gave a keynote at the event 

People might think of research as based purely in a lab, or drug trials but it is much more and is essential for improving the outcomes for patients, families, professionals and organisations.

Linking to national and regional strategy we’re really moving forward with encouraging nurses, midwives, health, scientific, and social care professionals – such as podiatrists, social workers, pharmacists, and dietitians – to be curious about research, to develop clinical academic careers and to be research active and research leaders in their organisations. 
We want to create sustainable research skills, capacity, and capabilities for all health and social care professionals. This includes building relationships, collaboration with Integrated Care Boards and provider organisations, identifying good practice, and rolling out supportive, sustainable structures. It relies on working with organisations right across the health and social care sectors, and this conference, along with our ongoing work, has shown the strides we’re making at the University and in the wider region."

Susie PearceSusie Pearce
Co-Director of the Clinical Schools, and lead for the University of Plymouth’s work to implement the DRSW regional programme

Faculty of Health

Exceptional clinical and academic learning, social engagement and research in medicine, dentistry, nursing, psychology and health professions.
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