We have joined forces with the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust (CDDFT) to promote greater collaboration in healthcare and research.
This key partnership for North East England will enable and promote greater cooperation between the University and CDDFT on health research and innovation.
We have already been working with CDDFT on research projects, professional development programmes and funding bids over the past 18 months.
This ongoing partnership was formalised this week with a Memorandum of Understanding signed by our Vice-Chancellor, Professor Karen O'Brien, and CDDFT Chairman Professor Richard Scothon.
Working together
A range of key objectives are outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding.
These include creating large-scale, joint funding bids in areas that further both organisations' research objectives, identifying and developing continuing professional development (CPD) programmes for staff and developing systems to allow access to data, samples and other assets that will enable more joint research.
One of the key resources already agreed is the creation of a new, joint role to support the development of the partnership.
Successful collaborations already being carried out between the University and CDDFT include a psychology study involving the Stroke Rehabilitation Unit at Bishop Auckland Hospital and an evaluation of long Covid consultancy involving our Department of Mathematical Sciences.
The University and CDDFT are also developing a bespoke CPD programme called 'Bridging the Gap'.
This will see our experts help develop the research skills of CDDFT clinicians in three key areas of qualitative research methods, quantitative research methods and funding bids.
The Memorandum of Understanding will be in place between the University and the CDDFT for a minimum of three years.
