A state-of-the-art Health, Wellbeing and Care Hub is being created at the latest £10.7m phase of Parkside at the Knowledge Gateway research and technology park on the University of Essex’s Colchester Campus.
The Hub is being established with the support of NHS England and in collaboration with our regional NHS Integrated Care Boards as a centre of excellence in health and care-related research and workforce development. A range of community-facing services, student placement opportunities, workforce development, training and research will be offered in a range of settings through the Hub, both on the Campus and in the community.
The Hub, which will launch in spring 2024, will offer face-to-face and online services to maximise accessibility and impact.
Professor Victoria Joffe, Dean of Integrated Health and Care Partnerships at the University of Essex, said: “Our aim is to collaborate closely with our partners across integrated care systems, and with the local community, and develop impactful and innovative services which support and enhance existing provision and lead to exciting interdisciplinary placement opportunities for our students. We also want to pioneer practice-based real-world research which will build a stronger and more robust evidence base and improvements in health and wellbeing services.
“Work in the Hub will build on our knowledge and experience in using the latest technology to deliver high-quality virtual services. This unique focus on services, training, education and research will have a significant impact regionally, nationally and internationally.”
Targeting gaps and need
Taking a lead on developments and innovations in health and social care training and provision, the Hub will address the health and care needs of the region, specifically targeting gaps and areas of highest need. The Hub aims to bring people in the community together, and support and enhance their physical and mental health and wellbeing through a range of intervention and support provision.
These services will be delivered by supervised students studying nursing, oral health science, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, social work, clinical psychology, law, sports science, computing and related subjects.
Areas targeted will be selected and co-produced with partners across the Integrated Care Systems, and service users, and will align with NHS priorities and highest health and care needs including falls prevention, memory clinic, health promotion, health checks, and interdisciplinary support for children, young people and adults with multiple and complex health and wellbeing needs.
The Hub will generate high-quality placements for Essex students who are the future health and care workforce. There will also be opportunities for workforce development including a wide portfolio of training for continuous professional and personal development.
Professor David O’Mahony, who has led the development of the project, said: “This has been an incredibly exciting project to develop with partners – who have been very supportive. The launch of the Hub shows the University’s commitment to supporting services in our communities.”
“The Hub will positively impact on workforce challenges”
Mid and South Essex NHS Integrated Care Board (ICB) is overseeing service provision on behalf of NHS England. Kirsty O’Callaghan, Director of Community Resilience Mobilisation and Transformation at the ICB, said: “I am delighted with the opportunities for further support and learning the Health, Wellbeing and Care Hub will offer both students and communities.
“The Hub will positively impact on workforce challenges and will address some of our areas of greatest need around nursing, oral health science and clinical psychology.
“This innovative approach to partnership working will ensure we have a high-quality health and care workforce to support our communities.”
“We are proud to be part of this exciting time of change for the University”
Ed Garratt OBE, Chief Executive, NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board said: “The Health, Wellbeing and Care Hub will be a key part of the local solution to help us meet some of the national challenges currently faced by the NHS.
“We are proud to be part of this exciting time of change for the University of Essex, which will offer immediate and long-term benefits to both students and local people alike. I look forward to seeing the plans come to fruition and to welcoming the first students as they embark on their training in this first-class facility.”
Join the Parkside community
The latest phase of Parkside is a chance to join the Knowledge Gateway research and technology park and connect with a thriving community of innovators, entrepreneurs and like-minded businesses. Suites are available from 1,873 sq. ft to 32,432 sq. ft.
For further information about the latest phase of Parkside please contact Ewan Dodds at Whybrow on 01206 577667/07957 862773 and on email at: ewan.dodds@whybrow.net or Ben Le Coq at Carter Jonas on 02075 183 335/07776 181 799 and on email at: ben.lecoq@carterjonas.co.uk.
3A Parkside, University Of Essex, Knowledge Gateway, Colchester, Essex, CO4 3ZL | Whybrow
Commercial property to rent in Nesfield Road, CO4 : Cambridge Central : 20012669 (carterjonas.co.uk)
