Lewis-Manning Hospice Care has become a recognised University Hospice, formalising its partnership with Bournemouth University (BU) to combine end-of-life patient care with clinical training and scientific research in Dorset.
Representatives from Lewis-Manning Hospice Care and Bournemouth University made the partnership official by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at BU’s Lansdowne Health Facility on 15 October.
Clare Gallie, Chief Executive Officer of Lewis-Manning Hospice Care, said: “We are absolutely delighted to become one of only eight University Hospices in the UK. Bringing our organisations even closer together creates more opportunities to better the care we provide to people in Dorset. Our new University Hospice status cements our collective efforts to strengthen student learning, clinical education, and palliative care research in our county.
“Our clinicians already work with BU to shape the future of care in the community, coaching the next generation of clinicians on how to deliver compassionate palliative care in practice and offering patient-facing placements. Signing the MOU marked a brilliant moment for Lewis-Manning and Bournemouth University, and presents an exciting opportunity to build on the research and skills development work we already deliver together.”
Students at BU have long learned from Lewis-Manning’s clinicians through specialist teaching and clinical placements. Lewis-Manning also offers additional development through the Lewis-Manning Hospice Care Scholarship, through which five final-year adult nursing students have received support to deepen their knowledge and skills in palliative and end-of-life care.
Lewis-Manning and BU also deliver a fully funded PhD studentship exploring end-of-life care for people with advanced liver disease.
In addition, BU marketing students have previously gained experience through a live brief with Lewis-Manning, while volunteering talks and campus activities have introduced more students to the hospice’s work. Recently, a guest lecture led by Professor Bee Wee CBE, with contributions from Dr Lucy Pollock and BU Principal Academic in Nursing Ashley Spriggs, brought students, healthcare professionals, and community partners together to explore the future of palliative care.
Professor Alison Honour, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer at Bournemouth University, said: “Working with Lewis-Manning gives our students direct access to specialist clinical expertise and shows how education and research can respond to the needs of the communities we serve. Through the partnership, academic insight comes together with day-to-day hospice experience to address questions that matter to patients and families. Formalising the relationship gives our shared work a stronger foundation and helps develop compassionate, confident healthcare professionals across Dorset.”
The University Hospice announcement follows Lewis-Manning’s recent Outstanding rating from the Care Quality Commission and reflects its wider commitment to high-quality, collaborative care. Each year, the charity supports more than 1,450 people at home, virtually, and through community hubs across Dorset.
For more information about Lewis-Manning Hospice Care, visit www.lewis-manning.org.uk.