Enhancing the environment for healthcare research

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HealthQWest's a winner

HealthQWest's Graduate School - the only one of it's kind in the UK - has been attracting well deserved recognition, having won a UK AHP (Allied Health Professionals) and Healthcare Scientists Award in the category 'Innovation in recruitment and career development'. The award was announced and presented at a prestigious awards ceremony on 27 February 2009 in London. The judges said 'The team achieved an extraordinary turnaround in just three years: the research standing went from bottom of the UK league to the top. Along the way students were encouraged to develop their research skills and research-mindedness for the benefit of patient care. It was an incredible feat to get several major academic institutions to work together in this way.'

Dr Susan Kerr, former Director HealthQWest Graduate School (2nd left) and Prof Tracey Howe, Director HealthQWest (center) receiving the award from Jacqui Lunday, Chief Allied Health Professions Officer Scottish Government (far right).

Results of the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) 2008. 60% of our research was ranked world leading or internationally excellent, and a further 30% was rated of international quality.

Ranked first in Scotland and in the UK top 10 for Allied Health Professions and other studies, the results place HealthQWest top in the UK for providing evidence for rehabilitation of people suffering from long-term musculoskeletal and neurological conditions and improving health & wellbeing.

Our research environment, to which the HealthQWest Graduate School is central, was rated as 80% world leading or internationally excellent and a further 20% at international quality.

‘ an impressive research environment … clear evidence of strategic development and strong multi-institutional support … responsiveness to national initiatives and strong relationships with clinicians .’   RAE2008 Sub-panel 12, December 2008.

HealthQWest is an innovative research consortium for the West of Scotland. Its work is based on the understanding that healthcare professionals in the critical fields of Nursing, Midwifery and the Allied Health Professions need evidence to enable them to develop and deliver appropriate and effective care at the right time.

Anyone can contribute to the success of HealthQWest by becoming involved in a variety of of our activities.