Leeds Trinity University welcomes NHS leaders to debate the future of health and social care

Leeds Trinity University has hosted senior leaders from the health, care and wellbeing sectors in the region to explore new ways to collaborate on key challenges, ahead of welcoming its first Nursing students in 2024.

Chief Executives, Chairs and Chief Nurses from regional NHS Trusts joined charity leaders, civic stakeholders and members of the Leeds Trinity Executive and Faculty teams to tour the University’s new Health and Life Sciences facility at its Main Campus in Horsforth and take part in roundtable discussions.

The roundtables explored key opportunities for cross-organisation collaboration and creative thinking to support the sector in the longer term, including ways to develop and retain a regional health and care workforce, impact positively on health inequalities, and identify priority areas for research and knowledge exchange.

Michael Wood, Head of Health Economic Partnerships at the NHS Confederation, also offered his thoughts on the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan and the future of health and social care at the event.

Leeds Trinity’s new Health and Life Sciences building will sit at the heart of the University’s efforts to respond to key NHS workforce needs, as the home of its first cohorts of Nursing students due to start in January 2024.

The purpose-built facility has been developed to prepare students to provide personalised care to patients in hospital, their homes and the community, as well as maximise the use of digital health technology.

It includes a six-bed ward, high dependency unit, community flat, assisted bathing facility, clinical skills suite, and wider teaching space.

Leeds Trinity has invested approximately £5m into the new health building and upgrades to existing facilities at its Main Campus in Horsforth to address skills gaps in Nursing, Allied Health and Life Sciences across the region and beyond.

Professor Charles Egbu, Vice-Chancellor at Leeds Trinity University, said: “We were delighted to welcome so many exceptional leaders from the health, care and wellbeing sectors to embark on important conversations about the future of this workforce, and opportunities to make a difference, as we open our new Health and Life Sciences building on campus.

“This ongoing dialogue is a key part of the approach we plan to take by listening to the needs of the NHS, building strong partnerships for the future, and continuing to collaborate on future talent and skills development. We strongly believe this will be to the benefit of our students and the region, and we look forward to welcoming our first Nursing students early next year.”

Michael Wood, Head of Health Economic Partnerships at the NHS Confederation, commented: “The NHS Long Term Workforce Plan rightly recognised the importance of local partnerships delivering a sustainable health and care workforce. To be successful though, any plan needs to be both people-centred and place-sensitive. The superb new facilities at Leeds Trinity are a key part of this but they clearly also build on the University’s strong civic ethos and community focus.”

Dr Peter O’Brien, Executive Director of Yorkshire Universities, who also spoke at the event, added: “The NHS is facing a major workforce crisis, with 46,000 vacant nursing posts, which, as the Workforce Plan suggests, will require an expansion of provision. The new courses in Nursing, which Leeds Trinity University will start in January 2024, will benefit from fantastic, start of the art infrastructure, and will help to strengthen the University’s civic commitment to creating a healthier and prosperous region.”