University and hospital announce collaboration to improve patient care
Monday 4 February 2013
The University of Surrey and Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust announced today that they are forging even closer links by forming a Clinical Academic Collaboration to maximise opportunities for research, innovation, education and service improvement to benefit patients.
The proposed collaboration will strengthen and build upon existing relationships between the hospital and the University, which are geographically co-located, increasing the number of scientists and NHS staff working on joint research funding applications, and strengthening existing collaborative links in education and training.
Multi-disciplinary research in medicine and health care conducted at the University spans across all of its four Faculties. It aims to make a meaningful difference to the health and well-being of people living in the UK and beyond. The collaboration complements the University’s recently announced ‘One Health’ strategy and is one of several phases of strategic developments in which both organisations are jointly engaged. As previously announced, a new world-class School of Veterinary Medicine will also be launched at the University in 2014, constructed around the theme that human and animal health are intrinsically linked.
The partnership will provide a strong platform for both organisations to achieve their strategic ambitions of developing Guildford as a major ‘hub’ of excellence for clinical research and education.
Professor Lisa Roberts, Dean of the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences at the University of Surrey, comments: “This partnership is very much welcomed as it enhances the University’s academic and research mission. We share a common strategy with the Royal Surrey County Hospital to improve the quality of clinical services and promote innovation through research. With this shared interest, combining expertise and resources will allow us to better tackle the key challenges facing health care.”
Nick Moberly, Chief Executive at Royal Surrey County Hospital, comments: “This new collaboration is key for developing clinical research and education for the county of Surrey, which can only lead to further improvements in local health services as well as for the wider population.”
Work on the partnership will begin immediately with planned implementation in summer 2013.
Media Enquiries
Peter La, Press Office at the University of Surrey, Tel: +44 (0)1483 689191, or Email mediarelations@surrey.ac.uk
