University of Huddersfield launches nursing course focused on prevention, long-term conditions and integrated care.

A new nursing degree focused on community and social care is being launched by the University of Huddersfield. The course will begin this coming academic year, as the NHS moves towards providing more care in local communities.

The programme has been developed in line with the NHS 10 Year Health Plan, which aims to shift care from hospitals into communities and put greater emphasis on preventing ill health.

The plan envisages neighbourhood health centres bringing different care and health professionals together, with the aim of making services more accessible and reducing pressure on hospitals.

It also aims to move the NHS towards earlier intervention and prevention, with more resources directed towards keeping people healthy and managing health conditions before they require hospital care.

The new course will reflect these priorities, with students learning about prevention, personalised care, long-term condition management and health inequalities.

Students will be based at the university’s national health innovation campus, where they will have opportunities to learn alongside healthcare and research organisations.

The university is also planning a neighbourhood health centre at the campus, which it says will provide opportunities for practice-based learning and clinical placements. The proposed centre is expected to include out-of-hours GP services, urgent primary care, a pharmacy and wellbeing services.

The facility could give students opportunities to gain experience of the different elements involved in delivering care within local communities.

Mathew Blears, acting head of department for nursing at the University of Huddersfield, said that the course would prepare students for changing models of care.

“Our graduates will be equipped to improve population health, address health inequalities and support people to live healthier lives within their own communities,” he said.

Graduates will be eligible to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council.