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Head: Judith Chappell profile...
The Department of Acute Health Care works with the Department of Community Services to delivery high quality health-related courses. Both Departments work in close collaboration with local NHS Trusts and PCTs alongside Strategic Health Authorities in the East of England and South Central.
Departmental staff are involved in the delivery of undergraduate courses preparing students for registration as Adult or Children's Nurses or Operating Department Practitioners.
Courses and units for qualified health care staff in acute health care such as Accident and Emergency, Theatre (Peri-Operative), Cardiac, Spinal injuries and Intensive care are delivered at degree level by experienced health care professionals from the relevant fields. At postgraduate level courses are offered in advanced practice, patient safety, clinical leadership, and public health.
We collaborate with local Further Education Colleges in Bedford and Luton who offer Foundation Degrees for example, in Care Management enabling students to complete the BSc Health Care (Care Management).
The development of courses is undertaken in collaboration with local health care providers and the relevant Strategic Health Authorities to ensure the students' learning experiences are co-ordinated and meet the relevant benchmarks set for education and care providers.
Our professional registration courses are approved by the University in partnership with the Nursing and Midwifery Council for Nursing courses and the Health Professions Council for the Operating Department Practice course.
The Department has a flexible approach to learning which encourages independent learners through reflective practice, making learning an integrated theory and practice experience.
All of our staff hold a professional qualification and have had experience working as health care professionals.
In addition to face to face learning experiences a virtual learning environment gives students the opportunity to access learning material from a distance to support their study and to communicate with lecturers and peers.
Members of the Department are aligned to one of five research groups; Service improvement; User Involvement; Enhancing Professional Practice; Reflective Practice and, Learning, Teaching and Assessment. Each research group is led by a member of staff with a PhD in a relevant field.
Staff also have interests in pain management, complementary therapies, cardiac nurse led initiatives, rehabilitation and patient safety.
