Across all parts of Scotland, from our major cities to regional, remote, and island communities, universities are not a peripheral support to our health and care system — they are one of its foundations. However, both the higher education and the healthcare sector are facing unprecedented financial challenges. There needs to be better integration by the Scottish Government of health, education and research, and funding which recognises the part we play in supporting the healthcare sector.

Our key messages to MSPs is;

• Universities’ contribution to the NHS includes workforce training and development, world-leading clinical research, innovation on diagnostic standards, and engineering on medical procedures. We participate in partnerships, deliver community services, and drive economic growth.
• Universities have proposals for new and creative and ways to deliver training in medicine and allied health professions, which connect to wider regional and national priorities and would widen the talent pool into the NHS. We would like to see cross-cabinet conversations between health and education to progress this.
• More investment to build capacity in clinical placements is urgently required to help grow the workforce to meet Scotland’s needs.
• A sustainable future for the NHS in Scotland also depends on sustainable universities.

Read the full briefing here.