New strategic partnership will futureproof NHS workforce

L to R: Glasgow Caledonian School of Health and Life Sciences (SHLS) Dean Professor Anita Simmers, NES Chief Executive Professor Karen Reid, Professor Kevin Kelman, Director of NHS Scotland Academy, Learning and Innovation, Principal and Vice-Chancellor Professor Steve Decent, and and SHLS Strategic Lead for CPD, Innovation and Business Development Maria Renwick.

Glasgow Caledonian University is delighted to announce a new strategic collaboration with NHS Education for Scotland (NES) aimed at transforming the design and delivery of health and social care services across Scotland.

The partnership, officially signed today (Sept 4) at the University’s Glasgow campus by Principal and Vice-Chancellor Professor Steve Decent and NES Chief Executive Professor Karen Reid, marks a significant step toward building a more skilled, sustainable and resilient NHS workforce for the future.

The agreement will see both organisations pool their expertise, knowledge and resources to design and deliver innovative education and training programmes that respond to Scotland’s evolving health and social care needs. The collaboration focuses on key priorities including improving population health, reducing inequalities, driving accessibility and embedding innovation in workforce development.

“This new partnership agreement marks a significant step forward in addressing Scotland’s most urgent health and social care challenges,” said Professor Decent. “By joining forces, Glasgow Caledonian and NES are creating new pathways into the sector, expanding opportunities for students, staff and carers at every stage of their careers and embracing innovation in education and workforce development.”

The partnership also aims to:

  • Widen participation in health and social care careers through inclusive education and training initiatives.
  • Support research and development in digital health and care technologies
  • Work collaboratively with a range of external partners and stakeholders
  • Improve the impact and efficiency of public sector investment in research and innovation
  • Deliver training through digital and simulation-based learning platforms

Professor Reid welcomed the collaboration as a vital opportunity to advance workforce development across Scotland.

“This presents an important opportunity to harness our combined expertise to enhance health and social care services, by helping to develop a workforce that is sustainable, skilled and highly effective,” said Professor Reid.

“It's clear that by working with external organisations and stakeholders, NES and Glasgow Caledonian University will also advance our shared ambitions to create new and attractive career pathways in health and social care.”

Also present at the signing were Professor Kevin Kelman, Director of NHS Scotland Academy, Learning and Innovation, Glasgow Caledonian School of Health and Life Sciences (SHLS) Dean Professor Anita Simmers and SHLS Strategic Lead for CPD, Innovation and Business Development Maria Renwick.

Professor Simmers emphasised the alignment between the two institutions’ missions: “This partnership represents a powerful opportunity to combine our strengths in education, research and innovation to help shape the health and social care workforce of the future.

“Our mission as the University for the Common Good aligns perfectly with NES’s ambition to widen participation, embrace digital transformation and deliver meaningful impact across Scotland’s communities.”

The collaboration is set to play a key role in equipping current and future health professionals with the knowledge, skills and tools needed to meet the demands of modern healthcare and deliver high-quality, equitable services across the nation.