South West Clinical Schools

Linking research with practice to improve patient outcomes across the region
South West Clinical Schools

What is South West Clinical Schools?

South West Clinical Schools is a collaboration between the University and the NHS to encourage nurses, midwives and other allied health professionals to look at their practice, challenge current thinking, try out new ideas and work out ways to measure what they're doing.

Our work with local health services has identified the urgent need to capture improvements in patient and family outcomes, as well as ensure that existing evidence is used to best effect and increase the amount of research led by non-medical health professionals. 

To meet these needs, we have invested in the clinical schools, which are professorial-led centres, in five local NHS trusts.

Main objectives:

  • Develop capacity and capability for clinical research, evidence-based practice and quality improvement activity.
  • Support the nursing, midwifery and allied health professions' leaderships within the trusts.
  • Embed a clear clinical academic career path to assist the transition from undergraduate student through newly registered health professional to research leadership roles located within clinical settings.

The School of Nursing and Midwifery and the School of Health Professions are both involved in the South West Clinical Schools, and the staff work beyond the boundaries of these five trusts to support activities in the communities as well.

The South West Clinical Schools are hosted in the following five NHS Trusts:

South West Clinical Schools Leads

Linking research with practice

Balance Enhancement and Ulcer Prevention in Diabetes

A feasibility study to inform the development of a large scale, multi-site, randomized controlled trial to investigate the clinical effectiveness of a new instant insole solution for people at risk of diabetic neuropathic foot ulceration to instantly modify and optimise plantar pressure. The ultimate aim is to reduce the risk of diabetic foot ulcer (re) occurrence.

Richard Collings, NIHR Clinical Doctoral Fellowship Researcher

Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) model of evidence-based healthcare

JBI's approach to evidence-based healthcare is encompassed in the JBI Model of Evidence-based Healthcare.

The University of Plymouth is a Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Centre of Excellence, of which Bridie Kent is director. The JBI framework is a gold-standard for all aspects of evidence based healthcare, including all stages of healthcare research and is designed to improve healthcare practice and health outcomes.

Find out more about the Joanna Briggs Institute

Innovations in Patient Care and Quality (ImPACT) Research Group

South West Clinical Schools aims to address issues encountered by health professionals at any stage of research. This is achieved at a local and regional level, with outputs also targeted to conferences and journals with a national and international reach. The research activities are conducted through the Innovations in Patient Care and Quality (ImPACT) research group.

Graduate perspective

Paola Moraes, MClinRes Clinical Research

"The most exciting experience I had on my course was presenting my dissertation at the 2020 online South West Clinical Schools Symposium and having my research topic considered the one that generated the most discussion. Getting this feedback from acclaimed and experienced researchers was such a boost of motivation to carry on in the research path."


How to be a clinical academic

Resources for anyone considering a career in this field

Applying for an NIHR internship Applying for an NIHR internship
 Advice from Kate Taylor, community dietitian, on joining a research internship

Considering a clinical academic career? Considering a clinical academic career?
 An introduction from the University of Plymouth’s clinical research team

How to start your career as a clinical academic How to start your career as a clinical academic
 A talk by Prof Jonathan Marsden, Professorship and Chair in Rehabilitation in the School of Health Professions

Becoming research active Becoming research active
 Free webinars for nurses, allied health professionals and public health or local government members of staff interested in becoming research active