HSU Secures Capital Funding Bid

HSU Succeeds in Securing a Capital Funding Bid from the OFS to Tackle Healthcare Skills Shortages

Health Sciences University (HSU) is delighted to announce its recent success in securing a capital funding bid from the Office for Students to the value of £2,136,638.  Its bid aimed at addressing critical healthcare workforce shortages across Dorset and beyond by creating HSU teaching clinics and state-of-the-art simulated clinical environments. Aligned with Dorset’s Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP), Skills England’s national priorities and the 10-Year Health Plan for England, the initiative will significantly expand clinical training capacity and modernise healthcare education delivery. These facilities will provide hands-on and simulated learning experiences for students in high-demand health disciplines, equipping them with future-ready skills and strengthening the healthcare talent pipeline.

Responding to Urgent Workforce Needs

With over 30% of Dorset’s population projected to be aged 65+ by 2025 – compared to the UK average of 19% – and the 85+ age group expected to grow by more than 50% by 2045, the region faces one of the highest old-age dependency ratios in England. This demographic shift is intensifying demand for skilled healthcare professionals. HSU’s expanded training provision directly addresses these challenges by increasing student placements and enhancing clinical readiness. However, national NHS workforce growth targets are constrained by limited placement availability – a barrier HSU is tackling head-on through innovative infrastructure development.

Meeting regional LSIP priorities, the clinic will grow capacity for clinical placements, with enhanced services in musculoskeletal, neurological, and mental health care, including advanced stroke and neuro-rehabilitation facilities.

HSU will repurpose existing premises to create cutting-edge simulated workspaces, including:

• Oral Health Simulation Suite: Featuring Dental Heads and Haptic VR simulators to train 120 new dental therapists and hygienists.
• Diagnostic Radiography & Multi-Use Simulation Ward: A multi-disciplinary space for Allied Health students to develop clinical skills, supporting at least 100 new clinicians annually and reducing reliance on external placements by up to 20%.
• Immersive VR Room: Enabling collaborative and individual simulations to build clinical reasoning, decision-making and interprofessional skills.
• Digital Delivery Suite: Preparing for a Digital NHS A suite which will equip students with essential digital competencies

Professor Lesley Haig, Vice Chancellor of HSU, commented: “This significant investment marks a huge step forward in our mission to address the healthcare workforce crisis as a system partner in Dorset and beyond. By expanding clinical training capacity and embracing digital innovation, HSU is equipping the next generation of professionals with the skills and resilience needed to meet the evolving demands of our communities. Ultimately the key beneficiaries will be our citizens in Dorset and beyond who will benefit from greater access to high quality care – to enhance their quality of life and support them to return to work. It is a privilege for us to serve our communities and make a difference to people’s lives every day.”