Published on:

30th July 2020

The University Hospital Association welcomes new member

The University Hospital Association (UHA) is delighted to announce that Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust has joined its membership.

The newly named Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust (PHU) will continue to provide high quality, compassionate care for residents across Portsmouth and South East Hampshire, while driving further improvements in research and education and building on the Trust’s strong existing partnership with the University of Portsmouth.

Achieving university hospital status is the first step in the Trust’s long-term programme to enhance research partnerships, drive innovation and develop new treatments more quickly. The Trust is committed to high quality clinical research and is ranked second among all large acute Trusts in England for research recruitment. University hospital status will enable the Trust to invest further in academic partnerships and strengthen the future workforce.

The Trust will now build on collaboration with the University of Portsmouth and a broad range of partners to embed research, education and training into ways of working across the whole organisation, in support of the delivery of the Trust’s five-year ‘Working Together’ strategy.

Bob Bell, Chair of the University Hospital Association and Chief Executive of Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Foundation Trust, said:

“We are pleased to welcome Portsmouth Hospitals to the University Hospital Association. This is a critical moment for university hospitals, which have played a leading role in the current public health crisis. From conducting cutting-edge research into Covid-19 to training the next generation of healthcare professionals, university hospitals have been at the forefront of developments in patient care and connections with industry.

“In this context, it has never been more essential for university hospitals to come together, not only to share best practice but also to form a unified voice to promote the value of research and education in the NHS and ensure the UK’s healthcare system is fully equipped for the future.”

Mark Cubbon, Chief Executive of Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, said:

“I am delighted that we have achieved the high standards required to join the 44 other specialist trusts nationwide as members of the University Hospital Association. As a university hospital we will embed research, education and training across all that we do to continue to drive improvements and ensure that our patients receive the best possible care. This is an exciting opportunity for us to improve the health and wellbeing of our local population.”

-ENDS-

Notes to editors:

1. The University Hospital Association is the key leadership body across the UK, promoting UK university hospital trusts in their tripartite mission of service, teaching and research. For further information about the work of UHA, see www.universityhospitals.org.uk.

2. For more information about this press release, contact Lucy Chislett, Communications Officer, at lucy.chislett@medschools.ac.uk or on 020 7419 5427.