“Strategies for Recruiting and Retaining Health Care Workers in Remote Rural Areas ”

UNIVERSITY OF THE HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS

David Green

Principal of Lews Castle College UHI

The University

Scotland’s newest University, since Feb. 2011, but in existence as a higher education provider since 1996.

A partnership of 13 teaching and research establishments across the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.

Specialising in curriculum and research for and of the region, and relevant to remote and rural communities and economies

The University, continued

Provides a full range of traditional courses across disciplines, but also specialises in appropriate uses of ICT for learning and in courses of specific relevance to the region, and to all remote rural regions.

Has a network of over 50 campuses and learning centres across the region – a great resource for our partners, too.

Current partnerships include:

Active membership of University of the Arctic - www.uarctic.org/

Current and recent involvement in NPP and FP7 projects.

MoU with University of Akureyri Visit from Icelandic universities, 12 -16

September 2011, to discuss a range of partnership activities, including possible NPP projects.

UArctic membership

• 125 universities, colleges and research institutes in eight Arctic countries (plus UK/ UHI)

• Finland, Sweden, Norway, Greenland, Iceland, Canada, Russia, USA

• Membership now restricted to northern institutes in these eight countries, plus the University of the Highlands and Islands.

FACULTY OF SCIENCE, HEALTH AND EDUCATIONSUBJECT NETWORK HEALTH AND WELLBEING

CURRENT CURRICULUM

MSc/MAs BSc/BAs Professional Development Awards Higher National Certificates/Diplomas Scottish Vocational Qualifications most delivered using the blend of learning most

appropriate for the course – face to face / video-conference / online

Rationale

Practitioners who are our students are also inter-professional learners, using online services to learn and to be part of a UK-wide learning community.

Courses are carefully structured in dialogue with health professionals to meet the professional and personal circumstances of practitioners in remote/rural communities.

Health and Social Care professionals’ dialogue.

Rationale, continued

Learning at own time, at own pace, flexible, accessible in small ‘chunks’.

Offers continuing professional development to those coming from elsewhere, and opportunities for people from remote/rural areas unable to travel. Levels the playing field.

Reduces costs of travel, backfill, subsistence, etc.

SPECIALIST AREAS

CHILD AND ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH

DIABETES SELF MANAGEMENT INFECTION CONTROL MEDICAL DEVICE DECONTAMINATION DENTAL THERAPY/HYGIENE RURAL HEALTH ISSUES

MSc Infection Control & MSc Medical Device Decontamination

Both developed in collaboration with Health Protection Scotland (HPS)

Materials have been developed and delivered by specialists in clinical practice with support for students provided by UHI

The programmes are online with tutor support and attracts students from all over UK (over 100)

http://www.uhi.ac.uk/en/courses/health-and-wellbeing/msc-infection-control

http://www.uhi.ac.uk/en/courses/health-and-wellbeing/msc-medical-device-decontamination

MA Health and Wellbeing The design of the curriculum took

into consideration the anticipated educational needs of healthcare professionals and the social service workforce in the 21st century

Provides opportunities for practitioners to engage in current debates and policy developments in order to promote the wellbeing of individuals, groups and communities.

The programme is online with tutor and student support to enable access for staff working in remote and rural areas

http://www.uhi.ac.uk/en/courses/health-and-wellbeing/ma-health-and-wellbeing

BSc Oral Health Science

Dental Therapists work as part of a team, providing clinical and educational care for children and adults in the community, including those with special needs. They carry out work under the direction and written prescription of a dentist.

Students in Inverness, Dumfries and Stornoway

Blend of learning by face to face, video conference & learning materials online

http://www.uhi.ac.uk/en/courses/health-and-wellbeing/bsc-oral-health-science

NEW PROJECT

WORKING WITH RRHEAL / NHS BOARDS / LOCAL AUTHORITIES / SSSC TO DEVELOP PORTFOLIO OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING FOR:

REMOTE HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE SUPPORT WORKERS

Common issues

High cost of cpd and related costs. 6% of Scottish population, in 69% of the land =

remote/rural = our community.* 78% of people in remote/rural Scotland describe

their neighbourhood as a ‘very good’ place to live.* (*Rural Scotland Key facts 2011).

Common interest in attracting, recruiting, retaining and developing our university and college workforce.

Opportunities

Promotion of opportunities for health care workers in partnership

Developing international partnerships through NPP

Potential for further study, including research such as Ph D studentships, developing evidence base and policy for remote/rural health care