UHCW and Coventry University mark impactful research taking place through pioneering Centre for Care Excellence

Amazing research carried out in a pioneering partnership between University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust and Coventry University was showcased during a special event attended by the Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) for England.

The Centre for Care Excellence (CfCE) for Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professions launched in 2020 to further enhance patient care and academic excellence through research, practice development, education and innovation.

CNO for England Duncan Burton was among the guests at University Hospital, Coventry, who heard about the work that has been carried out to positively impact the lives of patients.

UHCW CNO Professor Tracey Brigstock said: “The Research Matters event reflected the extraordinary impact that research-led practice can have on patient care.

“By bringing clinicians, academics and patients together, we are shaping a future NHS that is innovative, evidence-driven and compassionate."

Led by four jointly appointed professors, the CfCE has delivered a portfolio of nationally significant achievements, including:

• Securing more than £9.3 million in competitive external funding, achieving a strong 41 per cent grant success rate and expanding opportunities for clinical academic development across both partner organisations.
• Supporting 42 fellowship applications with 22 successfully funded and 15 PhD candidates. Monthly research drop‑in clinics have supported more than 50 staff each year.
• Playing a national leadership role in Criteria‑Led Discharge, delivered renal‑specific QELCA® programmes in partnership with Myton Hospices, and supported community‑based innovations such as Speech and Language Therapy‑led video fluoroscopy clinics and specialist static seating services.
• New programmes such as QUALY-FIND and Research Enriched Learning have helped strengthen research capability, alongside significant national conference contributions.

The CfCE also contributed to UHCW’s 2024 Care Quality Commission (CQC) rating of ‘Good’, with the CQC acknowledging the Centre’s role in growing a large, research‑active workforce.

Professor Richard Dashwood, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research at Coventry University, added: “This partnership has more than fulfilled its promise; it’s matured, deepened and delivered.

“What began as a shared commitment to improve care through collaboration has become a model of how a university and NHS Trust can work together in true partnership.”

During his visit, Duncan was able to see several areas of the hospital including the Emergency Department, Acute Frailty Unit and Medical Assessment Unit.

“I was really impressed to see how dedicated nursing, midwifery and allied health professional colleagues are to driving improvements to better support the people they care for, as well as colleagues,” he said.

“The future of our NHS depends on our professions, clinical leadership, research and innovation. The partnership between the Trust and Coventry University is a powerful example of how nurturing clinical academic careers can drive innovation and improve outcomes for patients and families across the system.”

The day also included presentations of successful projects, a patient story and poster awards.