NHS Lanarkshire  and University of the West of Scotland (UWS) have extended their partnership that aims to tackle NHS recruitment challenges and advancing digital healthcare solutions.

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.

UWS principal and vice-chancellor, Professor James Miller, said: ‘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.'

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.

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.

Professor Miller added: ‘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.'