A landmark partnership between Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) and NHS Lanarkshire is set to bring major benefits for patients, students, staff and academics.

The partnership will create three university hospitals at Monklands, Wishaw General and Hairmyres, and will see world-leading academics work alongside health staff to tackle key health challenges.

Calum Campbell, chief executive of NHS Lanarkshire, said: “It is fantastic news for patients. As our population grows older, with all the benefits and challenges this brings, we need new ways of working to best meet their needs. Partnering with Glasgow Caledonian University affirms our commitment to taking an innovative approach to improving our services so that we can address these challenges.”

Initiatives already underway to benefit patients include measures to reduce waiting times and improved access to healthcare, with NHS Lanarkshire patients being treated by GCU physiotherapists at the university’s clinic.

GCU’s professor of Ageing and Health, Dawn Skelton, a specialist in exercise intervention to reduce falls and promote active ageing, is working alongside staff to address one of the key health challenges.

NHS Lanarkshire medical director Dr Iain Wallace said: “While we already have a strong commitment to research and development in Lanarkshire, this partnership places these at the very heart of our work.

“Our vision is to put NHS Lanarkshire on the map as an academic centre where our health professionals have the opportunity to learn, develop, research, and teach as their career progresses.”

NHS Lanarkshire’s Dr Eamonn Brankin, who has played a key role in establishing the partnership, said: “It will also look at opportunities within mental health and primary care – and the fact that the School of Health and Life Sciences includes social work puts us in a great position to develop future initiatives with North and South Lanarkshire health and social care partnerships.”