Partnerships for Health

UWS works in partnership with health boards, local communities, third sector organisations, NGOs, local and central government, colleges and other universities to support, develop and enhance research into health and wellbeing and the application of healthcare strategies, locally, nationally and globally.

Our health and wellbeing partnerships support organisations with the knowledge and skills they need to address 21st century challenges, improve the user experience, support students interested in developing a career in healthcare or health-related research, and find new ways to improve the quality of life and life chances of populations.

This is a selection of our collaborative and innovative health projects:

Alzheimer Scotland Centre for Policy & Practice

The Alzheimer Scotland Centre for Policy and Practice (ASCPP) is a partnership between the University of the West of Scotland and Alzheimer Scotland. The Centre is dedicated to excellence in dementia education, research and knowledge exchange. Working with local, national and international partners, and guided by the experiences of people affected by dementia, the Centre seeks to improve policy, practice and outcomes for individuals, families and communities. 

Evidence-Based Research

Research is at the heart of the Centre’s work. Its applied research focuses on developing practical, evidence-informed solutions to the challenges faced by people living with dementia and those who support them. Over time, this work has evolved into two core research programmes:

• Living the Best Life Possible

• Dementia Education for All

These programmes have grown through strong partnerships, postgraduate research activity and a commitment to listening to the experiences of people affected by dementia. Early studies on advanced dementia and dementia in the workplace helped establish the foundations of the Centre’s research portfolio. This work demonstrated the importance of understanding lived experience and using evidence to shape better care, education, policy and practice. The Centre’s research has influenced practitioner education across Europe and informed initiatives that support people with dementia to remain in employment following diagnosis. Its work on dementia and employment was recognised as an example of good practice in the 2022 Alzheimer Europe Dementia in Europe Yearbook. 

Through research and enterprise activity, the Centre applies evidence-based knowledge to influence policy, advance professional practice and improve lives. 

Collaborative Working

Collaboration is central to the Centre’s work. Close links with the Scottish Dementia Research Consortium (SDRC), Scottish Dementia Working Group (SDWG) and National Dementia Carers Action Network (NDCAN) ensures researchers and practitioners put people with dementia and family carers at the heart of everything they do. They work closely with people living with dementia, family carers, academics, educators and health and social care professionals to ensure that lived experience informs research, education and service development. The Centre’s partnerships help its researchers and practitioners to understand the diverse circumstances in which people live and age, enabling the development of personalised approaches that support people to live well with dementia. 

The Centre has led and contributed to a range of influential initiatives. The Scottish Government-funded Dementia Champions Programme, delivered in partnership with Alzheimer Scotland, has been recognised by Universities UK as one of the UK’s 100 best breakthroughs for its impact on everyday lives. The Centre’s contribution from 2017 to the learning of the Dementia Specialist Improvement Leads - in partnership with NHS Education for Scotland - equips mental health practitioners to become leaders in their field and reach expert level (FfE). In partnership with NHS Ayrshire and Arran, the Centre has pioneered the ASCPP Carers’ Academy and established additional hubs with NHS Lanarkshire and NHS Dumfries & Galloway. The model provides family carers with access to a unique, university skills-based learning experience within state-of-the-art skills facilities. In 2020, the Centre received an Advance HE Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence (CATE) for Class in a Bag, an innovative intergenerational learning resource that enables nursing students to teach schoolchildren about dementia. More than 10,000 children have participated, helping to build a more dementia-aware and inclusive society.  

The Centre's global reach can be seen through its collaborative projects with institutions abroad. These include a partnership with Manipal College of Nursing in India where researchers developed a mixed method project designed to explore the experiences and vulnerabilities of people living with advanced dementia and a collaboration with the University of Saskatchewan to research and establish similar approaches within Canada.

The Centre’s work contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Good Health and Wellbeing (SDG 3), Quality Education (SDG 4) and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17). Alzheimer Scotland Centre for Policy and Practice

Research Into Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)

A first-of-its-kind women’s health research initiative has been launched by academics from University of the West of Scotland and University of Glasgow, bringing together leading expertise to examine an understudied but severe hormone-based mood disorder. The condition, premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), is an acute form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) that affects one in 20 women. Of those living with PMDD, approximately 72 per cent experience suicidal ideation, 50 per cent self-harm and 33 per cent attempt suicide. Despite its prevalence and severity, it takes an average of 12 years for people to receive a correct diagnosis.

The comprehensive research agenda was developed through a partnership between Dr Lynsay Matthews, women’s health expert and academic in the School of Health and Life Sciences at UWS, and Julie Riddell of the University of Glasgow. Together, they led a UK-wide consultation with key stakeholders to identify the most pressing research priorities for PMDD.

Commenting on the need for the research Dr Lynsay Matthews said:

“Premenstrual dysphoric disorder is a severe mood disorder where people experience distressing and frightening psychological symptoms in the week or two before their period. While it affects one in 20 women, very few people know about it. This means that many may suffer for years without understanding why they feel the way they do and may not get the help they need. PMDD can have a debilitating impact on everyday life, affecting relationships, education and employment. While many of the physical symptoms are the same as PMS, people with PMDD experience much more severe psychological symptoms, including mood swings, hopelessness, anxiety, irritability, feeling overwhelmed and difficulty concentrating”.

“The PMDD statistics are concerning, and through our partnership-led research agenda we hope to shape the future of PMDD research, policy and support across the UK.”

The partnership identified five key research priorities: diagnosis and management of PMDD; psychological support; suicide and self-harm prevention; the impact of PMDD on everyday life; and support during hormonal ‘trigger’ events. The resulting research agenda will help researchers focus funding applications, support teaching and student research, inform policy development, and enable charities and community organisations to develop evidence-based initiatives across the UK. First-of-its-kind research into severe hormonal mood disorder.

Partnership with NHS Education for Scotland

NHS Education for Scotland (NES) and the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) have strengthened their long-standing relationship through a new Strategic Collaboration Agreement, creating a partnership that brings together expertise in education, workforce development, technology and innovation to support the future of health and social care in Scotland.

The agreement reflects a shared commitment to developing a highly skilled, adaptable workforce by combining NES's national leadership in health and social care education with UWS's expertise in higher education, research and professional learning. Together, the partners will design and deliver innovative learning opportunities that respond to the evolving needs of healthcare services, staff and learners across Scotland.

Working collaboratively, NES and UWS will focus on:

• identifying opportunities to develop and enhance the skills of the existing workforce;

• designing and delivering flexible, workplace-based learning that responds to the needs of health and social care learners;

• enabling greater access to on-the-job learning through micro-credentials, graduate apprenticeships and new approaches to continuing professional development.

The partnership will harness technology, data and educational expertise from both organisations to create new pathways for learning and career progression. By working together, NES and UWS aim to ensure that education and workforce development keep pace with changing healthcare delivery models, emerging technologies and advances in clinical practice.

Commenting on the partnership's work, Professor James Miller, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of UWS, said:

"The University of the West of Scotland is committed to creating and removing barriers to educational opportunities across all the communities we serve. With new technologies and breakthroughs in clinical research, education is vital for healthcare and social care regionally, nationally and globally. Patients and staff rightly expect care and treatment that keeps pace with the technologies of today, not simply repeating the approaches of the past. Healthcare delivery is changing too. This partnership allows us to pool our educational and workforce expertise, to deliver a revolution in health and social care education."

Karen Wilson, NES Deputy Chief Executive and Executive Director of Nursing, said:

"NES provides education, training, workforce development, data and technology for health and social care in Scotland. We help people who work in this area to get the education and skills they need to provide good quality care for people in Scotland. Our work affects every person in every community in Scotland.”

"The world changes quickly. We need to prepare and shape the workforce for the future and the changes in health and social care that we all need to improve people's health."

By combining their respective strengths, NES and UWS will create structured learning and career development pathways for NHS staff, supporting workforce sustainability and future skills development. The partnership will also strengthen quality assurance across educational provision, ensuring that courses and learning products remain relevant, responsive and aligned to the needs of modern health and social care practice. Ultimately, this collaborative approach will contribute to improved service delivery and better outcomes for patients across Scotland. NHS and UWS collaboration to transform health and social care education.

Strategic Partnership with South Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership

A new strategic partnership between the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) and South Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership (SA HSCP) will combine the expertise, resources and shared ambitions of both organisations to develop and upskill the local workforce across Ayrshire. Built on a shared commitment to improving health, wellbeing and inclusion, the partnership agreement establishes a framework for UWS and SA HSCP to work collaboratively to address workforce challenges and create new opportunities for local people.

Through the partnership, both organisations will work together to grow the Ayrshire workforce by developing entry-level and graduate opportunities aligned to current and future workforce needs. The agreement also commits UWS and SA HSCP to jointly support the development of existing staff through learning opportunities that enable career progression and the creation of new roles. The partnership will further strengthen links between education and practice, with SA HSCP contributing its expertise to the development and delivery of health and social care programmes at UWS. This collaborative approach will help ensure graduates are equipped with the skills, knowledge and real-world experience needed to succeed in the sector.

As strategic partners, UWS and SA HSCP will also share research, evaluation and best practice, building on their longstanding relationships with communities across Ayrshire. By combining their knowledge and experience, both organisations aim to improve health and wellbeing outcomes while supporting sustainable workforce development and economic growth in the region.

The partnership reflects a shared vision for transformative change and aligns with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including good health and wellbeing (SDG3), quality education (SDG4), decent work and economic growth (SDG8), and sustainable cities and communities (SDG11). UWS partners with South Ayrshire HSCP.

Partnership Project to Prepare Nurses to For Complex Healthcare Needs.

A new health project, led by the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) in partnership with the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE), aims to ensure newly registered nurses are equipped to care for an ageing population with increasingly complex health and wellbeing needs. The project, selected and funded by the RSE, will evaluate the impact of an enhanced learning module on around 1,500 newly qualified nurses. The project brings together academic expertise from across UWS's School of Health and Life Sciences, with Dr Steve Mullay, Kevin Lang, Murray Sherriff-Short, Claire Brew and Kelly McCourtney working collaboratively to explore how nursing education can better prepare graduates for the realities of modern healthcare.

Through this partnership, the team is examining how enhanced scenario-based learning can strengthen nurses' confidence and competence in caring for older patients with complex needs. The module focuses on realistic clinical situations, helping students develop critical skills in patient assessment and the safe administration of intravenous medication in fast-changing healthcare environments.

Dr Steve Mullay said:

“We are delighted to see our project selected by the Royal Society of Edinburgh. As populations grow older and healthcare needs become increasingly complex, there is a recognised need for nursing care to be more person- and context-centred. This project will help us understand how effectively our educational approaches are preparing newly registered nurses for these challenges.”

The partnership aims not only to enhance the learning experience for UWS students but also to contribute to wider improvements across nursing education. Findings from the study will be shared with other educational programmes, supporting future collaboration and helping to strengthen nursing practice across the sector.

Professor James Miller, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of UWS, said:

“Congratulations to the team on receiving this recognition from the RSE for their important research project. This partnership creates an opportunity to enhance the student learning experience while supporting the development of nurses who will make a vital difference to patient care throughout their careers.” Paisley project helping nurses tackle complex health needs | The Gazette