East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) is to launch a new training centre with Nottingham Trent University (NTU) as part of plans to recruit and train more staff.
The exciting partnership will develop and train staff in new facilities to be unveiled at the university’s Clifton Campus on 14 August.
EMAS’s investment in education and training comes after it received extra funding for clinical staff, ambulances and other resources. The £9m boost this financial year has the potential to rise by a further £10m next year, if EMAS meets performance and finance targets.
“This is excellent news for our patients and our staff and is the start of what we hope will be a long-term relationship with NTU,” said EMAS Director of Human Resources and Organisational Development Kerry Gulliver.
“More than 160 recruits will start training in September and, once qualified, will join our frontline staff as technicians in January.
“By March 2019 we aim to have recruited a total of 240 new staff and we are also looking to create research opportunities and develop a degree course for paramedics.
“This partnership, alongside work with our regional higher education institute partners, is a positive step forward to provide more development opportunities for our staff and strengthen and improve patient care.”
Dr Rowena Hill, Principal Lecturer in External Engagement and Partnerships, at Nottingham Trent University said: “We are excited and proud to be developing this strategic partnership with East Midlands Ambulance Service, and are looking forward to training the next generation of emergency practitioners. The School of Social Sciences at NTU are currently expanding its health, social care and law enforcement provision, and this new partnership strongly complements the public sector focus of the School’s activity.
“This partnership reflects our commitment to enriching our society. We are excited to combine the School’s research expertise with the extensive opportunities our partnership with EMAS presents, to create sector-leading best practice in the ambulance services, with the potential to build this even further to incorporate all blue lights focussed research.”
Following the launch of the facility, EMAS and NTU will look to develop:
A BSc Paramedic Science programme for Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire that will enable EMAS to recruit more graduate paramedics and offer development opportunities for existing staff
New programmes of education for ambulance technician roles – working with NTU to develop a university award with greater control over the content and a shift towards more practical assessments.
Further education programmes for all grades of staff as services develop to meet changing needs of patients
Opportunities for staff to undertake research into trauma, paramedic prescribing and urgent care through studentships, supported by research bursaries as well continuous professional development opportunities.
The Clifton Campus facilities replace the ambulance service’s current education centre at Eastwood Hall, Nottinghamshire.