Edge Hill University has unveiled a significant five-year strategic partnership with Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, marking a major step forward in collaborative healthcare and education initiatives across the North West. This formal alliance brings together two leading institutions renowned for their innovation, care standards, and substantial community impact, with the shared goal of creating lasting positive outcomes for children and young people throughout the region.
Forging a Shared Mission for Regional Health
The partnership represents a natural evolution of years of successful cooperation through various research projects, student placements, and shared academic expertise. By combining clinical excellence from Alder Hey with Edge Hill's academic research capabilities and deep local insight, the collaboration aims to unlock creative new approaches to healthcare delivery and workforce development.
Academic and Healthcare Leadership Perspectives
Professor George Talbot, pro-vice chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange at Edge Hill University, emphasised the importance of community-focused partnership working. "Our greatest strength as a university lies in our community connections and collaborative efforts," he stated. "We share with Alder Hey a fundamental commitment to our local communities across the North West."
Professor Talbot further explained their joint mission: "We aim to create knowledge that genuinely changes lives throughout our region. Through closer collaboration on connected areas of expertise, we can position the North West at the forefront of workforce development, aligning with the Government's emerging 10-year Health Plan."
Dr Katherine Birch, director of Alder Hey Academy, highlighted their shared regional roots and broader responsibilities. "Everything we do at Alder Hey is driven by a simple but powerful ambition: to give children and young people the best possible start in life," she said. "This extends beyond outstanding clinical care to contributing to the wider conditions that help them thrive."
Initial Focus Areas and Collaborative Framework
The partnership will initially concentrate on two critical areas where health and education intersect:
- Virtual wards: Exploring innovative approaches to deliver hospital-level care within home environments, potentially transforming how healthcare services reach families.
- Mental health, wellbeing and suicide prevention: Supporting children and young people's mental wellbeing across both health and educational settings, recognising the growing importance of mental health support.
Beyond these initial priorities, the collaboration will develop a comprehensive suite of professional development opportunities, curate shared resources across both institutions, and establish regular collaborative forums to inform future workforce strategies. The partnership aims to look beyond traditional clinical boundaries, utilising Edge Hill's expertise in sport and the arts to improve both staff resilience and patient wellbeing.
Integrated Approach to Training and Service Delivery
Edge Hill's Dr Helen O'Keeffe, pro vice-chancellor and dean of education, and Colin Johnson, interim dean of the faculty of health, social care and medicine, emphasised the integrated nature of their approach. "By combining clinical, academic and community insights, we aim to significantly enhance training, research and service delivery," they explained.
"Together, we will co-develop innovative approaches that strengthen the skills of professionals working with children and young people, support integrated practice, and contribute to shaping a happier, healthier, more inclusive future for the next generation."
This five-year strategic partnership represents a substantial commitment to improving health outcomes and educational opportunities for young people across the North West, demonstrating how academic institutions and healthcare providers can work together to create meaningful, lasting community impact.
