Buckinghamshire New University has been named as one of NHS London’s preferred bidders for adult nursing training, following a competitive tender.

In June last year, NHS London became the first Strategic Health Authority in England to launch new higher quality standards for the training of adult nurses. The standards measured how universities ensured that nurses were equipped with the best skills, abilities and attitudes to provide excellent care for Londoners. Education providers were invited to show how they meet these new standards as part of a competitive tender process.

Bucks New University was named as one of the preferred bidders for adult nursing training in an announcement made by NHS London yesterday (17 January 2012). Other preferred bidders are: City University, King's College London, Kingston University and St George's University of London, London Southbank University, Middlesex University, University of Greenwich, and University of Hertfordshire.

Prof David Sines, Bucks New University’s Pro Vice Chancellor and Executive Dean: Society & Health, said: “We work very hard to provide the best education to our nursing students so that they can provide the best possible care when they move into the world of work. We are delighted to have been named as a preferred bidder and look forward to working with NHS London in the future.”

Discussions with all the preferred universities will now take place to further improve their offers to students, and ultimately improve the quality of care given to patients in London. Final three-year contracts are expected to be signed by 29 March 2012.

NHS London has also launched new standards for the training of physiotherapists, an area that is not taught by Bucks New University. Brunel University, King’s College London, and Kingston University and St George’s University of London have been named as the preferred bidders for this work.  

Professor Trish Morris-Thompson, chief nurse at NHS London and a practising midwife at Kingston Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “It should be the norm and not the exception that patients receive the very best from the NHS, and this starts with how well we train our workforce. By raising our training standards we are telling patients that ‘we won’t make do.’ By making universities reapply to meet new standards, we can make sure nurses and physiotherapists are equipped with the right skills and attitudes to give patients better care.”

Over the past three years, NHS London has monitored closely the performance of education providers in the capital. The measures assess how well students are trained and monitor value for money for the total £1.1 billion invested in healthcare education in London every year.

Dr Anne Rainsberry, Director of People and Organisational Development at NHS London said: “The quality of patient care is only as good as the person who is giving it. By raising our standards we can train nurses and physiotherapists that are fit for employment and invest money where it is needed.”

ENDS

Editor’s notes:

Buckinghamshire New University

Buckinghamshire New University has a long history of providing education tailored to the world of work. The University now provides a range of courses aligned to employment markets: the creative and cultural industries; the management and information management sectors; and the public sector.

There are around 9,000 students studying at two campuses: one in High Wycombe and the second in Uxbridge, West London. The Uxbridge Campus is home to the University’s nursing courses, including undergraduate provision in adult, children’s and mental health nursing, and a range of post-qualifying and professional courses, as well as its applied healthcare research.

The University prides itself on being a genuinely student-centred institution, with an emphasis on quality teaching and support for students. For further information visit bucks.ac.uk.

The NHS London tender

Formal preferred bidder letters were issued by NHS London to health education providers on 16 January 2012 to inform them of the outcome of the tender. However, no information can be given about the number of training places each university may receive until discussions are complete and contracts signed at the end of March.

External agencies such as the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) and Universities & Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) have been engaged throughout to ensure a joined-up approach.

NHS London will continue to make as much information available to universities, students, and their families whilst discussions with the selected universities continue. The majority of student applications are not likely to be affected. UCAS are enabling prospective students who are affected the opportunity to alter their preferences. Any students that are concerned are advised to speak to their university first for further information.

For further information, images or interviews relating to Bucks New University please contact: Anne Whitehouse, Head of Corporate Communications, Buckinghamshire New University on 01494 605 249 or email anne.whitehouse@bucks.ac.uk.

For more information on NHS London, please contact the NHS London Communications Team on 0207 932 3911 or email media@london.nhs.uk.