Tackling NHS recruitment challenges and advancing digital healthcare solutions will be at the heart of a continued partnership between University of the West of Scotland (UWS) and NHS Lanarkshire as both organisations have signed a partnership extension.

Since its formation in 2017, the partnership, which has been renewed for another five years, has aimed to enhance recruitment and retention in healthcare while using cutting-edge technologies such as wearables and remote monitoring to improve patient care in Lanarkshire.

In this next phase, the collaboration will expand its focus to include University Health & Social Care Partnership North Lanarkshire and South Lanarkshire University Health & Social Care Partnership (HSCPs), alongside ongoing work in acute hospital settings. This shift will strengthen the relationship between UWS and NHS Lanarkshire, driving innovative projects that will bring lasting benefits to health and social care services across the region.

UWS Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Professor James Miller said: “We are delighted to continue this strategic collaboration between our two anchor institutions in Lanarkshire.

“This new phase allows us to explore exciting opportunities in workforce development, digital healthcare, and social innovation. Together, we aim to pioneer projects that will have a lasting impact on health and social care services across Lanarkshire and beyond.”
UWS Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Professor James Miller

One of the key objectives of the extended partnership is to create tailored educational and professional development programmes aimed at addressing recruitment and retention challenges in the healthcare workforce. Joint appointments and enhanced input into teaching programmes will help ensure that academic expertise remains aligned with the evolving needs of the healthcare sector.

Chief Executive of NHS Lanarkshire, Professor Jann Gardner, highlighted the partnership’s potential for greater impact: “The renewed focus on Health and Social Care Partnerships will enable us to tackle some of the most pressing challenges facing healthcare today.

“By working together, we can create sustainable solutions that promote healthy lives and inclusive communities, ensuring our workforce, patients, and local populations thrive.”
Chief Executive of NHS Lanarkshire, Professor Jann Gardner

Chief Executive of NHS Lanarkshire, Professor Jann Gardner, highlighted the partnership’s potential for greater impact: “The renewed focus on Health and Social Care Partnerships will enable us to tackle some of the most pressing challenges facing healthcare today.

“By working together, we can create sustainable solutions that promote healthy lives and inclusive communities, ensuring our workforce, patients, and local populations thrive.”

A significant part of the collaboration is an emphasis on digital healthcare, with UWS’s School of Computing, Engineering, and Physical Sciences (CEPS) partnering with NHS Lanarkshire’s Interface Division. Technologies such as wearables and remote monitoring will be tested at the UWS Lanarkshire campus before being implemented across NHS Lanarkshire.

Additionally, students will benefit from placement opportunities, particularly through NHS Lanarkshire’s "active hospitals" initiative, designed to keep patients physically active during treatment.

The partnership will also promote collaborative clinical research, with both organisations seeking joint grant applications to fund research projects that improve clinical practices and patient outcomes. These efforts will focus on addressing critical healthcare challenges and contribute to the broader goal of creating more integrated care services.

NHS Lanarkshire’s Health and Social Care Partnerships will be recognised as 'University HSCPs,' cementing the ties between academia and healthcare delivery. This initiative reflects the partnership’s commitment to social innovation, using the expertise of both UWS and NHS Lanarkshire to address healthcare inequalities and promote inclusive, healthy communities. The partnership also aligns with several UN Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs), including good health and well-being (3), reduced inequalities (10), and quality education (4).

Professor Miller emphasised the partnership’s broader societal impact:

“This collaboration is not just about improving healthcare outcomes but transforming how we think about healthcare delivery. It also highlights the role universities can play in shaping healthier, more inclusive societies.”
UWS Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Professor James Miller

Professor Gardner added: “Our combined efforts will ensure we remain at the forefront of healthcare innovation while fostering a culture of continuous improvement. This extended Strategic Partnership is a step forward, positioning UWS and NHS Lanarkshire to deliver lasting positive change for patients, staff, and communities across Lanarkshire.”