A new university course has been created to help the NHS tackle the mounting challenges posed by an ageing population.
Robert Gordon University has designed a degree programme in conjunction with NHS Grampian, which aims to “change the face of health and social care across the country”.
As the country’s existing services creak beneath that burden, health chiefs are trying to form a “more strategic and efficient approach for the future” which does not sacrifice quality of care.
Academics believe that will require a greater emphasis being put on the planning of services, and the cultivation of a workforce capable of putting that process in place.
Head of property and asset development for NHS Grampian, Gerry Donald, described the programme as “much-needed”.
He said: “The course will provide students with the skills necessary to redesign services, picking up on best practice from around the world and ensuring that the NHS has the capacity and capability to undertake the significant change it faces.”
Fiona Roberts, senior lecturer at the school of health sciences, will lead the new course.
She said: “As the population grows and the average age increases, this is such an important and changing area for the NHS and private healthcare companies.”
The course – entitled “strategic service planning and delivery in health and social care” – will launch in September.
Head of capital planning in the Scottish Government’s health and social care directorates, Alan Morrison, welcomed the “innovative” approach the university was taking to resolving one of the country’s most pressing medical dilemmas.
He said: “This brings together the range of skills and expertise needed to enable an integrated and effective response to the demographic challenges facing health and social care now and in the coming years.”