Background A key objective of the newly formed Knowledge Exchange Directorate in 2015 was to collaborate with other organisations to support the achievement of St Catherine’s Hospice’s (SCH) aim ‘To help more people have quality of life to the end of life’. A formal collaboration with Higher Education was a high priority and in late 2015 discussions began with the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) to explore a more formal relationship.

Aim of the Collaboration To work together to explore opportunities for the joint development of: the expertise residing in UCLan and SCH for the benefit of local people and the local economy; educational opportunities through potential collaborative provision research and academic projects, including academic updating and sharing of good practice links within their respective industries to provide students with hands-on practical experience; joint bids for external funding to support the above.

Methods A formal three- year Memorandum of Understanding was signed with UCLan to lay out the objectives of the partnership and the principles of collaboration alongside statements on intellectual property and confidentiality.

Results Include

• New opportunities for students from the College of Health and Wellbeing and Medical School to support understanding end of life care. SCH to be included in the pilot of the Physician’s Associate role

• Support to help SCH develop its communications strategy including a project by MBA students and a facilitated planning day delivered by the Leadership Hub

• Joint bid for research project on the use of communications technology in end of life care.

• Exploring potential for placements from events, communications and creative/design students.

Conclusion The whole is greater than the sum of each part. SCH has to offer real world issues, experience, and community involvement; UCLan offers research, evidence-based knowledge and developing talent; together there is innovation, thought leadership and impact through social change.