South West Clinical Schools

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

What are the South West Clinical Schools?

The South West Clinical Schools are a collaboration between the University of Plymouth and health and social care organisations operating in Cornwall, Devon and Somerset. The School of Nursing and Midwifery and the School of Health Professions lead this initiative which aims to support all health and social care professionals undertaking and supporting research. 
We seek to overcome long-standing barriers to collaborative working across these sectors by supporting colleagues at all stages of their research careers, whether they are already involved in research or thinking about getting involved.
Our collaboration focuses on research important to health and social care services, across the life course, within families and communities, and strengthening the workforce. 

Our main objectives are to:

  • Deliver high-quality research which supports the needs of the population and workforce in the South West and beyond. 
  • Develop the capacity and capability for research within the workforce to enable evidence-based practice and inform quality improvement activity. 
  • Support the leaders of health and social care professionals to develop their research workforce. 
  • Embed a clear clinical academic career path to assist the transition from undergraduate student to senior research leadership roles. 
  • Influence regional, national, and international decision-making within this arena, resulting in demonstrable impact. 

The South West Clinical Schools cover Cornwall, Devon and Somerset and are hosted in the following six NHS Trusts:

South West Clinical Schools Leads

Our Research Community

Our Research Studies

Developing a research skilled workforce in the South West

This programme aims to support work that embeds research as the keystone that underpins excellent care and supports innovation. Medics have established programmes for research development within their career pathways. We want to create sustainable research skills, capacity, and capabilities for all health and care professionals. This includes building relationships, collaboration with Integrated Care Boards and provider organisations, identifying good practice, and rolling out supportive, sustainable structures.
<p>Developing a research skilled workforce logo. Coloured lines show outline of the south of England.&nbsp;</p>

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.

How to be a clinical academic

Resources for anyone considering a career in this field

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

<p>Senior couple being served meal by carer - Getty images</p>