UCLan and St Catherine’s Hospice join forces to improve patient care and education through a new partnership, benefiting students and staff alike.
Preston: UCLan and St Catherine’s Hospice have teamed up. This partnership aims to boost the positive impact both organizations have on the community.
They plan to make the hospice a University Hospice. This will help improve patient care through education and research.
Students in clinical and non-clinical fields will get hands-on learning at the hospice. Staff at the hospice will also have new development opportunities.
Professor StJohn Crean from UCLan expressed excitement about this partnership. He noted that they have worked together for some time and are ready to strengthen their ties.
He emphasized the importance of linking education, research, and practice. This will benefit patients, their families, staff, volunteers, and students.
Students from various medical and health courses will have placements at the hospice. This charity helps people with life-shortening conditions live well until the end.
Each year, over 300 medical students from different years will visit the hospice. First-year students will have a day placement to learn about hospice care.
Fourth-year students will spend two weeks gaining experience in the inpatient unit and community care. Final-year students can choose the hospice for an extended module.
There are hopes to create placements for students in nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and counseling as well.
Dr. Andrew Fletcher, Medical Director at St Catherine’s, called this a landmark day. He is excited about the future and expanding placement opportunities.
He mentioned that UCLan and the hospice are working with local NHS trusts to create a research and innovation subcommittee. This partnership will open doors for more palliative care research and innovation.
