ITEM 10 Strategic Academic Partnerships Report

North Lanarkshire Council · 27 March 2024
Back to Health and Social Care Integration Joint Board — 27 March 2024 and its agenda

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REPORT 
Item No: 10 
SUBJECT: Strategic Academic Partnerships Report
TO: Integration Joint Board Committee
Lead
Officer for
Report:
Ross McGuffie, Chief Officer NL HSCP 
Author(s) of
Report 
Professor Eamonn Brankin, Associate Medical Director, Strategic
Academic Liaison)
DATE: 27 March 2024 
1. PURPOSE OF REPORT 
This paper is coming to the IJB for: 
For approval ☐ For endorsement ☐ To note ☒ 
2. ROUTE TO THE BOARD 
This paper has been: 
Prepared By: ☒ Reviewed By: ☒ Endorsed By: ☐ 
This paper has been prepared by Eamonn Brankin, Associate Medical Director and
has been reviewed by the NHS Lanarkshire Planning, Performance and Resources
Committee. 
3. RECOMMENDATIONS 
The IJB is asked to: 
3.1.  Review the content of the paper
3.2  Note the ongoing developments and progress between NHS Lanarkshire,
North Lanarkshire Council, South Lanarkshire Council, the Health and Social
Care Partnerships and the three formally recognised strategic academic
partners: Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU), University of Strathclyde
(UoS) and University of West of Scotland (UWS).

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4.  VARIATIONS TO DIRECTIONS? 
5. BACKGROUND/SUMMARY OF KEY ISSUES
5.1  In the past year, there has been a significant development in the strategic
academic collaborations within the Lanarkshire system. With NHS
Lanarkshire updating its Service Level Agreements with the University of
Strathclyde, Glasgow Caledonian University and University of West of
Scotland, work was also undertaken to develop strategic Memorandums of
Understanding (MoUs) with both Councils. 
5.2 Through these developments, MoUs have now been agreed with Glasgow
Caledonian and both Councils, with the two Health and Social Care
Partnerships now granted University Status with GCU. Work continues to
develop this approach with the other two Universities as we continue to
develop our strategic academic approach.   
5.2 University Departments
5.2.1  Just before the onset of the pandemic, three of our departments successfully
attained University Departmental status from Glasgow Caledonian University.
These departments include:
• University Department of Stroke Care at University Hospital Monklands
• University Department of Psychological Services (pan Lanarkshire)
• University Department of Podiatry (pan Lanarkshire) 
5.2.2  Notably, the University Department of Podiatry is the first of its kind in the UK,
marking a ground-breaking achievement for the GCU/NHSL partnership.
These departments continue to thrive, with a notable increase in Podiatry
applications, rising from five at band 5 last year to twenty-two in the current
year. The renewal consideration for the university departmental status is
scheduled for 2024, and each department is actively working on its renewal
documentation with the hope of a successful outcome. 
5.3  Honorary Appointments
5.3.1  To enhance our collaboration with universities, several Honorary
Appointments have been conferred, showcasing our commitment to fostering
strong ties. 
5.3.2  Notable appointments include Professor Patricia Graham, Head of
Psychological Services, receiving an honorary chair from the University of
Strathclyde, and Health and Social Care Partnership Chief Officers, Ross
McGuffie and Soumen Sengupta, being honoured with chairs at Glasgow
Caledonian University. 
Yes  ☐ No ☒ N/A ☐

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5.3.3  Additionally, Mrs. Janice McClymont, Head of Occupational Therapy, earned
an honorary fellowship at GCU, with previous awards for Mrs. Margot Russell,
Mr. Peter McCrossan, and Mrs. Claire James renewed for an additional three
years. Professor Cindy Chew, Consultant Radiologist at University Hospital
Wishaw, received an honorary chair at the University of Glasgow. 
5.4 Partnership Working
5.4.1  There has been continued development of the strategic academic
partnerships with Allied Health Professions (AHPs) between NHS
Lanarkshire, Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU), and the University of
Strathclyde (UoS) has leading to various developments. This progress not
only encompasses ongoing collaborations with established academic partners
but also sheds light on efforts with other academic institutions where formal
organisational partnerships are still in the process of being established.  
5.4.2  Within GCU, significant student placements are provided by all the AHP
professions with the exception of Spiritual Care. Each of the NHSL Heads of
Service for the services listed below is involved in each GCU course
programme Board, which provides a quality assurance mechanism for each
course. 
Professional Group  Total
Dietetics 13
Occupational Therapy  68
Orthoptics 16
Physiotherapy  156
Podiatry  18
Radiography 37
Total GCU Placements  308  
International Students 
5.4.3  In partnership with GCU, NHSL provided two international postgraduate
placements for students from the United Arab Emirates in diagnostic imaging.
Through this arrangement, two NHSL radiography staff benefit as they can
obtain master’s modules to accrue credits toward an MSc. 
Academic Homes
5.4.4  Some universities are adopting the Academic Homes approach for better
clinical/academic career opportunities, fostering collaboration, and developing
capacity in the four pillars of practice. The Funding Agreement, supported by
the NMAHP Practice Development Centre with GCU, facilitates AHP staff's
postgraduate module undertakings. 
AHP Students Employment Opportunities within NHS Lanarkshire

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5.4.5  Opportunities for AHP students to join the NHSL Staff Bank have been shared
with GCU and the University of Strathclyde. GCU has been influential in
promoting part-time paid employment opportunities for AHP students via the
NHSL Staff Bank. The current 2023/24 opportunities assist staff with
recruitment and staffing challenges, which in turn aids the Board in various
ways. A prime example of helpful assistance given by GCU students was to
the podiatry service, where the students have been carrying out diabetic
screening. 
AHP Lecturer Practitioners 
5.4.6  The number of AHP lecturer practitioners has reduced due to financial
pressures and reorganisation at GCU. Only one specialist podiatrist remains
in this role, working both as a diabetic specialist practitioner and a lecturer in
diabetes and vascular issues. 
5.5.  Future Areas for Exploration with GCU 
5.5.1  The Director of AHPs and the Vice Dean of the School of Health and Social
Care at GCU meet regularly to discuss workforce, recruitment and
development ideas. In partnership with NHSL, GCU is keen to explore
creative ways to share simulation resources and expertise of the AHP
professions within Lanarkshire. Work is ongoing to link GCU to the
Lanarkshire Care Academy by promoting NHS Lanarkshire as a preferred
employer. 
5.5.2  Professor Dawn Skelton, Professor of Ageing and Health within the Centre for
Living School of Health and Life Sciences at GCU, is a respected expert in
ageing and frailty. Prof Skelton was a great asset in developing the NHSL
Falls Strategy and has been assisting in developing the forthcoming NHSL
Rehabilitation Strategy. 
5.5.3 Post winter, development sessions are planned between GCU and leads
within the Health and Social Care Partnerships to develop new areas of joint
working within community health and social care areas, taking advantage of
the recent strategic partnership agreements. 
5.6 University of Strathclyde 
Practice Placements 
5.6.1  Speech and Language Therapy (SLT), Orthotics, and Prosthetics
departments continue to host student placements for both courses. Number of
student placements provided 2022/23: 
Professional Group Total
Orthotics and Prosthetics  5
Speech and Language Therapy  25
Total University of Strathclyde  Placements 30

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5.6.2 The head of orthotics is an external examiner for the fourth-year BSc. orthotic
and prosthetic degree course. 
Sports and Physical Activity BSc students 
5.6.3 In the academic year 2022/23, a 50-hour placement experience was
established for Year 3 BSc Sports and Physical Activity students at
Strathclyde University. This placement focused on promoting physical activity
in alignment with the Active Hospitals initiative at the UHW site.
Collaborations were forged with the Falls team and Health Improvement. 
5.6.4 Building on the success of the previous year, the plan is to replicate these
placements in the academic year 2023/24 and potentially extend the initiative
to host Year 4 students for their final year projects.  
5.6.5 A memorandum of agreement facilitated students' identification of areas of
interest during the 2022/23 placements, spanning the Falls team, MSK clinics,
and health improvement. The goal for the upcoming academic year is for
fourth-year students to design an activity program supporting the Active
Hospital initiative at UHW. Post-graduation, some students pursue the fast-
track Physiotherapy MSc program, specifically designed for those with a
postgraduate degree, supported by NES. 
Pharmacy 
5.6.6 Over 2022/23, 60 student placements were delivered, totalling 292 days of
input within Pharmacy in NHS Lanarkshire. 
5.6.7 Within the Undergraduate programme, this focused on:
 Development of Experiential Learning Primary care placement frameworks to
support facilitators in practice.  This framework was developed by the
prescribing team in primary care and has now been adopted nationally.
 Prescribing team involvement in the delivery of year 2 clinical skills training
 Prescribing team input into University of Strathclyde Experiential learning
handbook review.  This includes review of learning outcomes and suggested
activities.
 Involvement in facilitating workshops
 Involvement in Entrustable Professional Activities research project 
5.6.8 In the Postgraduate programme, the focus was on:
 Pharmacist undertaking MSc including research project
 PHD student – substance misuse
 Assessment of OSCE for independent Prescribing Course
 Involvement in teaching for Independent Prescribing Course – substance
misuse

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5.7 Research Collaboration, Service Review & Evolution with the University of
Strathclyde. 
5.7.1  Dr. Gillian Sweeney, Specialist Occupational Therapist, leads a research
collaboration with the University of Strathclyde focusing on "Future
Rehabilitation: Validation of an intensive, individualized stroke rehabilitation
service delivered through technology." The initiative addresses the significant
incidence of strokes in Scotland and aims to enhance recovery through
intensive functional practice. 
5.7.2  University Hospital Wishaw has established an in-patient Technology-
Enhanced Rehabilitation Gym (TERG), replicating the Strathclyde University
TERG. The unit opened on November 8, 2023, with plans to create a smaller-
scale version within the Blantyre Life facility. The TERG has garnered interest,
hosting visits from NHS Lanarkshire leadership. 
5.7.3  The proposal suggests setting up a TERG at the Blantyre care hub,
enhancing accessibility for transitional step-down beds, technology-enabled
homes, and community-dwelling stroke survivors in South Lanarkshire.
Funding for this development is under review. 
5.7.3  A collaboration between the Department of Speech and Language Therapy
(SLT) at Strathclyde and the Lanarkshire SLT service review is underway.
Discussions are ongoing to develop a lecturer practitioner post in conjunction
with Strathclyde, showcasing the commitment to advancing services through
research collaborations with various university partners. 
5.8 Strategic Discussions 
5.8.1  Discussions continue with a range of key universities including University of
the West of Scotland; University of Glasgow; Queen Margaret University;
Edinburgh Napier University; Robert Gordon University; and Herriot Watt
University; around both student placements and furthering areas of potential
joint development. 
5.9 Future work
5.9.1  While much of this report focuses on developments from within NHS
Lanarkshire, future reports will be more balanced as the strategic partnerships
with the HSCP and Local Authority come to fruition. 
5.9.2 Since moving forward with the development of MoUs, we have already started
a number of developments with both Glasgow Caledonian University and
University of Strathclyde covering areas such as frailty, dementia and
pharmaceutical development. 
6. CONCLUSIONS
6.1  Overall, significant progress continues to be made across the NHS
Lanarkshire and the Health and Social Care Partnerships in academic
collaboration with partner universities. There has been an expansion not only

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in the volume of collaborative work undertaken but also in the complexity of
projects and in the increasing diversity of links between NHSL and multiple
departments and individuals across our strategic partnerships. 
6.2  There is a mutual desire to explore many more projects and areas of
innovation that often require short notice decision making associated with
modest sums of fixed term investments, though there has also been
significant external funding identified over the year. 
6.3  Over the year ahead, the focus will be on finalising the agreements with the
University of Strathclyde and continuing to develop the relationships and
opportunities for the HSCP and Local Authority, while continuing on the
existing path within NHSL. 
7. IMPLICATIONS 
7.1 NATIONAL OUTCOMES
Link(s) to National Health and Wellbeing Outcomes 
People are able to look after and improve their own health and wellbeing
and live in good health for longer 
☐
People, including those with disabilities or long-term conditions, or who are
frail, are able to live, as far as reasonable practicable, independently and at
home or in a homely setting in their community
☐
People who use Health and Social Care Services have positive
experiences of those services, and have dignity respected
☐
Health and Social Care Services are centred on helping to maintain or
improve the quality of life of people who use those services 
☐
Health and Social Care Services contribute to reducing health inequalities  ☐
People who use Health and Social Care Services are safe from harm ☐
People who work in Health and Social Care Services feel engaged with the
work they do and are supported to continuously improve the information,
support, care and treatment they provide
☐
Resources are used effectively and efficiently in the provision of Health and
Social Care Services 
☐
7.2 ASSOCIATED MEASURE(S) 
7.3 FINANCIAL

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This paper has been reviewed by Finance: 
7.4 RISK ASSESSMENT/RISK MANAGEMENT
N/A 
Relevant Risk Register
Details 
Current Risk Level  Risk Owner 
Choose an item. 
7.5  ENGAGEMENT & PARTICPATION
Please tick the engagement and participation objectives that link(s) with this piece of
work and provide further details regarding the engagement and participation that was
undertaken.
Objectives  Further Details 
☐ Involve stakeholders in the development
work aimed at achieving the national 
outcomes 
☐ Provide stakeholders with information on
how to get involved 
☐ Ensure a diverse range of engagement
and participation and opportunities are in 
place to suit different needs 
☐ Measure how well we involve community
stakeholders in the planning, design 
and delivery of our services 
☐ Provide regular feedback on how
stakeholder engagement and participation is 
shaping and influencing service
development and delivery 
☐ Provide support to enable stakeholder
representatives to participate meaningfully
and confidently at meetings 
☐ Develop participation guidelines to
ensure a common understanding and set of 
expectations for both stakeholders and
partnership staff 
☐ Support engagement planning and
participation in localities, taking account of 
other engagement activity and local plans
across the Community Planning 
Partnership 
7.6 INEQUALITIES & FAIRER SCOTLAND DUTY 
Yes  ☐ No ☐ N/A ☒

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EQIA Completed & Fairer Scotland Impact Assessment Form Completed and
attached to report: 
EQIA added to website: 
8. BACKGROUND PAPERS
NHS Lanarkshire – Strategic Academic Partnership Report (Period Covering June
2022- November 2023) Full Report.   
9. APPENDICES
Please include a glossary of terms if not already included. 
None. 
CHIEF ACCOUNTABLE OFFICER (or Depute)   
Members seeking further information about any aspect of this report, please contact
the following; Ross McGuffie Ross.McGuffie@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk
Yes  ☐ No ☐ N/A ☒
Yes /
Date
added 
☐ No ☐ N/A ☒

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Direction from North Lanarkshire Integration Joint Board (IJB) 
1 Reference Number  
2 Report Title  
3 Date direction issued by IJB 
4 Date from which direction
takes effect 
5 Direction to: 
6 Does this direction
supersede, revise or revoke a
previous direction – if yes,
include reference number(s) 
7 Functions covered by
direction 
8 Full text of direction 
9 Budget allocated by
Integration Joint Board to
carry out direction 
10 Performance Management /
Governance arrangements 
11 Date direction will be
reviewed