New partnership set to transform essential respite care
This week, a Scottish university and a highly respected respite facility committed to a new partnership which aims to advance person-centred care services for people with neurological conditions like Multiple Sclerosis (MS), stroke and motor neurone disease (MND).
Officials from Queen Margaret University (QMU), Edinburgh and Leuchie House in North Berwick, signed a Memorandum of Understanding, which builds upon a ten-year relationship between the university and the national charity.
Not only will this partnership help identify new research opportunities to support people living with degenerative diseases, but it will also create opportunities for students from QMU’s School of Health Sciences to gain practical experience through various student placement opportunities.
Sir Paul Grice, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of QMU, said: “Since its establishment, Leuchie House has been pivotal in ensuring the best quality of life possible for those with neurological conditions, as well as for their families and carers.
“Leuchie House’s work has been life-changing for so many, and now, the formalisation of our partnership will only help progress this through the advancement of person-centred practice, learning, teaching, education, and innovative research opportunities.
“QMU and Leuchie House share so many mutual values - a commitment to high quality care, a recognition of equality and diversity, innovation, and willingness to take risks, and a desire to generate new knowledge that is co-produced and has immediate impact.
“We are positive that our official partnership will be one that will not only advance personal centred care but is both mutually beneficial and unquestionably transformative.”
Mark Bevan, CEO of Leuchie House, said: “Scotland has a rapidly ageing population, with increasingly complex health care requirements and a shrinking workforce. We need new solutions to emerging challenges.
“This proactive partnership builds on our aspiration, to further develop Leuchie House as a centre of excellence which learns from and influences the latest thinking and practice in complex, highly personalised and technology enabled health care. Partnering with a UK top ranked University in health care science is a pivotal step in our journey”.
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Sir Paul Grice and the CEO of Leuchie House, Mark Bevan, on 22 February 2024 during an official ceremony which was held at Leuchie House itself.
The Memorandum will be operational for five years, during which it is hoped that the curriculum in pre-registration programmes at QMU is advanced, multi professional placement opportunities for students of nursing, paramedic science, art therapy and allied health professions are secured, and collaborative research to develop respite care services and cultures is developed.
For further media information contact Emma Reekie, Media Relations and Content Officer, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, E: ereekie@qmu.ac.uk; and copy to or E: pressoffice@qmu.ac.uk.
