THE University of Bradford has joined forces with a hospital trust to set up a new nursing school.

The partnership with the Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust will establish the satellite nursing school and degree programme at Dewsbury and District Hospital.

The school aims to recruit up to 100 nursing students by March, boosting nursing recruitment for the Trust and widening degree course participation in the local area.

A memorandum of understanding will be signed by Professor Shirley Congdon, University of Bradford Deputy Vice-Chancellor (pictured) and Martin Barkley, CEO of Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, at a ceremony at Dewsbury and District Hospital today.

Ruth Girdham, Head of Nursing at the University, said: “The University of Bradford, School of Nursing was thrilled to have been asked by the Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust to work with them to support the development of their nursing workforce.

“The School of Nursing has an excellent reputation for nurse education and is looking forward to working closely with the Trust on this exciting new development.

“This is a great opportunity for local people to access a nursing degree programme near to home, gaining experience in the locality where they live and will practise as professional nurses.”

David Melia, Director of Nursing and Quality at Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “I am immensely proud that our trust and the university of Bradford are coming together to establish this new School of Nursing. I know that having the school based within the hospital will really give the students an excellent education. Their experiences will be enhanced by being able to receive the majority of their academic education within a fully working hospital – it will bring their studies to life. Nursing is a wonderful profession and we need to have people with different backgrounds and experiences joining us."