The South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust launched a Clinical Academic Home Framework at Ards Hospital. The initiative unites the trust with Queen’s University Belfast, Ulster University, and The Open University.

The framework establishes pathways that connect clinical practice, education, and research for nurses and midwives. It seeks to increase their involvement in research and evidence-based practice to improve patient care.

Professor David Robinson, South Eastern Trust Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Nursing, AHP’s and Support Services, described the framework as a key chance for the nursing and midwifery workforce. He noted that it fosters links between clinical work and academic research to support staff skill development and better patient outcomes.

Dr Mark Dornan, Lecturer at Queen’s University, stressed the value of partnerships between health trusts and universities. He said the framework merges academic and clinical knowledge on common goals to enable research innovation and application in practice.