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On (7 April), a unique opportunity for NHS staff to broaden their skills and support the next generation of healthcare professionals is celebrating an impressive first year.

Last year, ������� became the first University in the South East to work with NHS England to run internships for clinical staff from local hospitals. Seven nurses, midwives and allied health professionals attended the University’s Centre for Simulation in Health & Care in the School of Health and Care Professions once a week to share what they know with students.

Now into its second year, the University has welcomed three interns from ������� Hospitals University Trust, SCAS (South Coast Ambulance Service) and Sussex Community Foundation Trust. 

Project manager, Jonathan Bell, said: “We’re very excited to welcome the next group of nurses and paramedics to campus. Their up-to-date clinical skills knowledge will be increasingly valuable for our students, whilst they gain their own teaching skills through academic mentoring.”

15 universities have been involved in the programme across the two years, which has resulted in 85 new clinical staff joining the world of academia.

It is hoped that the momentum built from this project will lead the way for expansion to a national model, allowing NHS trusts and healthcare education providers to work more closely. 

Speaking when the internship programme launched, John Clark, Deputy Director, Workforce, Training & Education Directorate (Clinical Professions), South East, said: “Our continued support of the Clinical Academic Internship Model Project demonstrates our commitment to growing and developing our future healthcare workforce.

"Universities and colleges are critical partners to the NHS and play a vital role in ensuring we have the right staff in the right place at the right time. This highly innovative programme enables clinical staff to gain experience in an academic setting whilst inspiring learners as they work towards completing their degree and becoming a registered health care professional. 

“As well as providing a potential pipeline of future academics for universities and colleges, the initial evaluation has already demonstrated the positive impact this project has on staff retention across nursing, midwifery and the allied health professions, the growth in the number of places for health care courses, and the preparation of learners as they enter their chosen profession.”

The University has excellent healthcare facilities including simulated wards, an operating theatre, a simulated pharmacy and facilities focused on health and social care. These allow students to learn both basic competencies and more complex management scenarios in a safe environment.

Head of the School of Dental, Health and Care Professions, Dr Jason Oakley, said: “The success of our internship programme has demonstrated our clinical colleagues' passion to be involved in the teaching of our students and for some will become a new path in their career. This programme not only provides this valuable experience,for the interns, but helps to provide the educators of the future as well as enriching our students' experience which will enhance patient care. I think that everyone would agree that this has been a great project to have been involved in and we thank NHSE for their support of this work.”

In 2019, ������� was one of the first universities to develop a Civic Partnership Agreement with partners in the local community and region to promote inclusion and enrich economic, social and cultural life.

Its goal is for education and research knowledge and skills to benefit the ������� Harbour region and surrounding areas.