HSU Celebrates Publication of the Latest Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF) Outcomes

Research England has today published the results of the fourth Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF).

The results for Health Sciences University (HSU) are presented under our previous name, AECC University College, as this was the institutional name during the KEF reporting period. In August 2024, the former University College of Osteopathy joined HSU and HSU now has a campus in central London as well as Bournemouth.

The University was included in the STEM Specialists Cluster, along with ten other institutions.

Our performance in the KEF highlights strengths in the following areas: local growth and regeneration, Continuing Professional Development (CPD) provision, working with the public and third sector, and IP and commercialisation.

HSU works locally with partners in Dorset, regionally with NHS England Southwest, and nationally through our NHS partners to develop a strong pipeline of local workforce into health careers. Our newly acquired campus in central London will provide us with opportunities to collaborate with partners in London.

Our Centre for Workforce & System Innovation (CWSI) was established in 2023 to address healthcare workforce challenges. The Centre promotes knowledge exchange and offers comprehensive professional development programs for healthcare professionals, educators, leaders and policymakers.

Head of Academic Enterprise and Engagement at HSU and lead for the CWSI, Dr. Claire Nadaf, said: “At HSU, we want to be responsive to workforce requirements in health care. As soon as there are changes that need to be made to the skillsets of the workforce, we want to be on hand to support these through education and research.

“We want to help make sure that practitioners have the right knowledge, skills and attributes to be able to deliver care to patients. We’re looking at individual problems and departments and how we can help solve and improve them.

“We are driving a different approach forward which is flexible and responsive to need.”

For example, in 2024 the CWSI alongside our Practice Related learning team, undertook a collaborative project with GoodOaks Homecare to design and deliver innovative simulation based training for carers and managers that replicates real-world experiences before they enter clients’ homes. This brought a valuable new dimension to the training that GoodOaks offer their home carers, enabling them to provide care more effectively and compassionately.

Above: Simulation based training with GoodOaks Homecare

HSU’s Clinical and Rehabilitation Services team aims to reduce waiting times for patients and waiting lists for the University’s NHS partners, as well as to contribute to the reduction of health inequalities experienced by people in the region. In March 2024, the team ran a Health & Support Pop-Up event in Boscombe. Over a two-week period, we provided free health care and support to over 500 people and carried out NHS health checks, ultrasound scans, musculoskeletal triage, exercise and dietary advice sessions, etc. This addressed health inequalities through an innovative way of building trust and providing support to people in need but who are unlikely to access health services.

Above: HSU Team at Health & Support  Up Event

Head of Research at HSU, Dr. Julie Northam, reflects on the KEF outcomes: “Our performance in the KEF highlights the importance of partnership working to Health Sciences University and it’s fantastic to see the impact that the University is having.

“Our partnerships help us to identify and understand the needs of the local area in order to develop our own strategies and action plans to align with these. It’s important to us that we are an anchor institution serving Dorset and our local communities. Having a presence in London will enable us to increase the reach and significance of our engagement and collaboration with partner organisations in London.

“As a specialist health sciences University, we want our knowledge exchange work to be having a positive impact in Dorset and London, as well as at a national level.”