Summary: Higher Education Commission Evidence Session Two: Regional Delivery and Local Partnerships

On 9 February the Higher Education Commission held the second evidence session of its inquiry into healthcare workforce development, hosted at Bournemouth University.

The session examined regional delivery and local partnership models, exploring how universities, colleges and NHS trusts can collaborate to widen participation, address local shortages and retain graduates in underserved areas, with a particular focus on the challenges facing coastal and rural regions such as Dorset. 

Chaired by Professor Alison Honour, Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer of Bournemouth University, the session opened with an inquiry update from Rhiannon Tuckett-Jones of Policy Connect, followed by opening remarks from Councillor Millie Earl, Leader of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council. 

The structured discussion panel comprised: 

• Lord Lieutenant for Dorset Professor Michael Dooley, Pro Chancellor, Bournemouth University 
• Siobhan Harrington, Chief Executive, University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust 
• Louise Garner, Director of Learning, Bournemouth and Poole College 
• Professor Vanora Hundley, Professor in Midwifery, Bournemouth University 
• Rini Jones, Senior Policy and Delivery Manager, NHS Race and Health Observatory 
• Student representatives, Bournemouth University 

This was followed by an open thematic discussion with the wider audience, including contributions from general practice, medical education, workforce bodies and devolved education systems. 

Participants highlighted the distinctive pressures facing coastal and rural communities, including ageing populations, transport barriers and stark intra-regional inequalities, and stressed that regional context should be viewed as an opportunity for place-based, community-anchored solutions rather than solely a deficit. 

Key themes raised included: 

• The importance of “growing our own” local workforce through apprenticeships, foundation years and bridging programmes, alongside recognition that retention depends on affordable housing, predictable rotas and a genuine sense of community belonging. 
• Financial hardship as a primary concern for students, with the removal of the NHS bursary, placement and transport costs, and demanding academic years cited as barriers to access and progression. 
• Variability in placement experience and supervision, with rural settings sometimes struggling to provide sufficient clinical sites to meet competency requirements. 
• The need for local workforce planning to be better aligned with regional demographic realities, supported by shared workforce intelligence and greater use of digital tools. 
• The value of a diverse healthcare workforce for patient trust and outcomes, with curriculum reform and visible role models identified as key levers, alongside further education routes such as T-Levels and bridging models to widen access. 
• The importance of structured, joined-up support for international staff, covering accommodation, family and community integration, to strengthen long-term retention. 
• Workplace culture and leadership as central to retention, with participants noting that staff often leave poor management and culture rather than the profession itself. 
• Funding models that were felt to disadvantage rural and coastal areas, with calls for education and workforce investment to be treated as long-term regional economic development. 

Participants agreed that sustainable progress will depend on aligning funding, workforce modelling, widening participation strategies and community infrastructure, so that students can train locally, thrive locally and remain locally. 

For further information, please contact Rhiannon Tuckett-Jones (rhiannon.tuckett-jones@policyconnect.org.uk) 

This inquiry is generously sponsored by ACCA, iheed, Cambridge Education Group and the University of Derby.