Green light for Council and Teesside University to collaborate on Medical School proposal

Ambitious plans to secure a medical school in the Tees Valley have taken a step forward.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council and Teesside University, which reinforces shared ambitions for the social and economic future of the area, was given the green light to be signed at a Cabinet Meeting on Thursday (14 NOV).

The MOU details a commitment to undertake feasibility work for locating the proposed medical school and supported infrastructure in Teesdale Business Park.

The Council will support Teesside University as it seeks approval for its medical school ambitions, working together to make the case to Government around the need and impact of a new Medical School in the region and working to meet the standards required for the General Medical Council to approve the qualification.

This important location is part of Council ambitions to create the Tees Valley Care and Health Innovation Zone, making the most of land across the whole of North Thornaby, providing health and care facilities to support residents' needs.

Together with key strategic partners, the zone will create a nationally significant cluster of social care and health provision, growing all aspects of the health, public-health and social care sector.

The MOU has four broad objectives, which include:

• developing skills infrastructure and provision which are fit for purpose to support a successful Care and Health sector as well as removing barriers which may prevent people from accessing training
• ensuring that innovation, research and development drives cutting edge service delivery across the Tees Valley and establishes a regional reputation for excellence
• reducing health inequalities by taking a strength-based approach to working with communities, with a focus on early intervention and prevention
• using research, data analysis and intelligence to inform better decision making

As part of the Tees Valley Care and Health Innovation Zone, there are aims for a 'Health Spine' of care and health to be located in this area, which will incorporate an 'open innovation campus' as a centre of academic research and excellence.

There are also aims for the redevelopment of the St Mark's Basin area, which is currently underused, creating a new care and health educational anchor.

The Tees Valley Care and Health Innovation Zone ambitions are part of a bold regeneration programme centred around Stockton Waterfront urban park, creating a significant opportunity to drive change in the area.

The zone will link with the creation of the NHS' Tees Valley Diagnostic Centre, supporting growth in Stockton Town Centre and delivering better health outcomes for residents.

Councillor Bob Cook, Leader of the Council, said: "The Tees Valley Care and Health Innovation Zone will help to reduce health inequalities within the Borough and Tees Valley. It's our aim that the site will be used for pioneering, modern health provision, which will better meet our residents' needs and this agreement is a huge step in that direction.

"We're committed to working with partners across the care, health and skills sector to ensure a coordinated approach to understanding future skills needs and the MOU is the next part in that journey.

"Teesside University has an outstanding reputation for healthcare education provision and I am delighted to be working in collaboration to provide significant opportunities for teaching, research and collaboration on this site."

Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Professor Paul Croney OBE said: "As an anchor institution in the Tees Valley we are well positioned to drive positive change in healthcare across the region. Teesside University has forged a network across the sector, and the partnerships we have established with health practitioners, industry and wider academia span both training and upskilling within healthcare as well as research that enhances patient care and medical efficiency.

"This latest collaboration builds on our partnership with Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council and our shared ambitions for the Tees Valley Care and Health Innovation Zone. By working together we maximise our collective impact on reducing health inequalities, driving cutting edge service delivery, developing skills infrastructure and provision that meet the needs of our region."

Professor Steve Cummings, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Knowledge Exchange) added: "Our research in health and wellbeing addresses the medical challenges of the future, driving positive change in healthcare across the region.

"We are delighted with the approval of the Memorandum of Understanding with Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, which will support us in ensuring our work meets community needs and addresses innovation gaps in the health and social care sector.

"We look forward to working together to provide the research and data analysis needed to deliver meaningful impact."