A LANDMARK partnership between Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) and NHS Lanarkshire is expected to bring major benefits for patients, students and academics.

The partnership will create three university hospitals at Monklands, Wishaw General and Hairmyres and will see world-leading academics work alongside health staff to tackle key health challenges facing people in Lanarkshire.

Initiatives already under way to benefit patients include measures to reduce waiting times and improved access to health care, with NHS Lan-arkshire patients being treated by GCU physiotherapists at the university’s clinic.

In addition, GCU’s Professor of Ageing and Health, Dawn Skelton, a specialist in exercise intervention to reduce falls and promote active ageing, is working with staff to address one of the key health challenges facing an ageing population.

It is expected that the data gathered by researchers on areas such as falls, strokes, and diabetes will inform patient care and improve health care in Lanarkshire.

“While we already have a strong commitment to research and development in Lanarkshire, this partnership places these at the very heart of our work,” said Dr Iain Wallace, medical director of NHS Lanarkshire.

“Our vision is to put NHS Lanarkshire on the map as an academic centre where our health professionals have the opportunity to learn, develop, research and teach as their career progresses.”

Dr Eamonn Brankin, of NHS Lanarkshire, who has played a key role in establishing the partnership, added: “We are at the beginning of a journey that we hope will see ever- closer working between NHS Lanarkshire and GCU.

“The partnership will also look at opportunities within mental health and primary care – and the fact that the School of Health and Life Sciences includes social work puts us in a great position to develop future initiatives with North and South Lanarkshire health and social care partnerships.”

Calum Campbell, chief executive of NHS Lanarkshire, said the partnership is “fantastic” news for patients. He said: “As our population grows older, with all the benefits and challenges this brings, we need new ways of working to best meet their needs.”

“Partnering with Glasgow Caled-onian University affirms our commitment to taking an innovative approach to improving our services so that we can address these challenges.”

GCU’s School of Health and Life Sciences is in the top 20 universities in the UK for allied health research. Its studies in areas including healthy ageing, HIV and sexual health, substance use and misuse, and long-term health conditions such as stroke, MS and diabetes are recognised as world leading and internationally excellent.

“This development recognises our international reputation in applied health research, particularly within public health and the management of long-term health conditions,” said Professor Pamela Gillies, principal and vice-chancellor of GCU.

“Local patients will benefit from care and intervention that is underpinned and enhanced by robust research, and I am delighted that we can deliver on our social mission as the University for the Common Good through this initiative.”