TEACHING staff at Oxford Brookes new Swindon campus have been shortlisted for a prestigious award in recognition of their work with the Great Western Hospital.

With over 400 entries in this year’s Student Nursing Times Awards, staff at the campus are in the running to win the Partnership of the Year award after setting up a shared educational experience for Oxford Brookes nursing students and medical students from the University of Bristol with GWH.

Lorraine Whatley, lecturer in adult nursing at Oxford Brookes’ Swindon Campus said: “Over the past two years I have worked alongside clinicians from Great Western Hospital to develop this partnership. The state of the art technology we have in our new campus has enabled the students to learn together and practice clinical scenarios in a safe environment.

“This shared learning between both professional groups breaks down communication barriers and promotes team working to ensure that our students are providing the best possible patient care.”

“We have worked hard to provide students with an opportunity to gain an understanding of what working in the NHS is like after qualifying; so it is pleasing to see our efforts recognised by being shortlisted for this award.”

The Student Nursing Times Awards celebrate student nurses for their academic achievements and clinical expertise as well as recognising placement providers and universities for influencing and inspiring nurses of the future.

Oxford Brookes has also been shortlisted for Student Nurse of the Year: Children, Return to Practice Course of the Year and Student Placement of the Year: Community.

Dr Michael Natarajan, clinical lead for simulation at the Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, added: “The training facilities at the Great Western Hospital are among the best in the country and we’re incredibly proud to offer the healthcare staff of tomorrow a truly realistic environment where they can safely put theory into practice.

“With around 80 per cent of Oxford Brookes’ graduating nurses starting their careers with us, our unique partnership with the University is more important than ever and I look forward to many more years of working together to produce healthcare staff with the skills, qualities and values that will benefit patients.”

Oxford Brookes will find out if they’ve been successful when the winners of the Student Nursing Times Awards are announced on April 27 at the London Hilton, Park Lane at a special awards ceremony.

For information about the awards, visit www.studentawards.nursingtimes.net.