Landmark agreement to develop the next generation of innovative and highly skilled healthcare professionals

A landmark joint working agreement between education and health providers aims to enhance training opportunities and develop the next generation of innovative and highly skilled healthcare professionals. 

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which has been officially signed by Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV) and York St John University, will enable the two organisations to continue to build on an already successful partnership.  

The MOU will support collaborations that include academic provision, placements, shared facilities, training and research. In addition, the MOU sets out an agreement to create roles for Clinical Research Fellows (CRFs), who will combine a clinical role at TEWV with a doctoral studentship at York St John University. 

Collaborative working will include supporting CRFs to: 

• Combine two days a week at the university as a PhD student and three days a week as a clinician 
• Be supported by a supervisory and clinical support team at TEWV 
• Work alongside experienced researchers at York St John University 
• Develop analytic skills and complete a doctoral research degree (PhD) 
• Study an innovative research project in health sciences that will impact clinical development within the NHS  
• Enhance career development opportunities 

The MOU was signed on Monday 8 April 2024 by TEWV’s Chief Executive Brent Kilmurray and Professor Karen Bryan OBE, Vice Chancellor of York St John University. 

TEWV provides mental health, learning disability and autism services across County Durham, Darlington, Teesside, North Yorkshire, York and Selby. Chief Executive Brent Kilmurray said the signing of the MOU represents a positive step forward. He said: 

“We’re looking forward to advancing our innovative partnership with York St John University while supporting skills development and progression in the health care sector.”

York St John University has a thriving research community, with practice-led work and evidence-based research making a sustained contribution to local communities. This provides a distinctive approach to peoples’ experiences and perceptions of mental health and wellbeing.   

Professor Bryan said: “This partnership strengthens the existing relationship that York St John University has with the Trust, allowing us to further develop our knowledge transfer and research provision. Over the next 10 years we look forward to building on opportunities to share expertise and facilities. Our joint approach will enable both staff and students to gain valuable experience with the Trust for the benefit of service users and our community.” 

For more information about TEWV visit www.tewv.nhs.uk.