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Coventry University celebrates five years of making a huge difference to hospital patients and staff through the Centre for Care Excellence
Professor Richard Dashwood and UHCW's Chief Nursing Officer, Tracey Brigstock, at the celebration event for the Centre for Care Excellence
University news / Research news
Monday 02 March 2026
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Coventry University has marked five years of its Centre for Care Excellence helping to improve patient care and inspiring impactful research.
The centre, a partnership with University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust, empowers staff at every level to develop ideas to make ‘patient first’ improvements in care by creating new evidence for best practice and sharing knowledge and expertise.
University and hospital leaders and staff came together to celebrate five years of the partnership, the impact the centre has had and what the future holds for its research and healthcare as a whole.
Duncan Burton, the Chief Nursing Officer for England, was among the invited guests who joined representatives of UHCW and Coventry University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Richard Dashwood, as well as Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Health, Professor Ann-Marie Cannaby, and Professor Rosie Kneafsey, Academic Director of CU Health and Care.
This was the second time we’ve had a Chief Nursing Officer for England visit us to talk about the importance of what we are doing after Dame Ruth May previously visited, which says a lot.
The centre is all about high-profile research that improves patient outcomes, looking at what happens to people in the community after they leave hospital as well as developing the next generation of the healthcare workforce.
We look forward to many more years of working together with University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust to make a real difference for patients, students and those expanding their academic careers.
Professor Rosie Kneafsey, Academic Director of CU Health and Care
This partnership has more than fulfilled its promise; it’s matured, deepened and delivered. What began as a shared commitment to improve care through collaboration has become a model of how a university and NHS Trust can work together in true partnership.
Professor Richard Dashwood, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) at Coventry University
I was really impressed to see how dedicated nursing, midwifery and allied health professional colleagues are to driving improvements to better support the people they care for, as well as colleagues.
The future of our NHS depends on our professions, clinical leadership, research and innovation. The partnership between the UHCW NHS Trust and Coventry University is a powerful example of how nurturing clinical academic careers can drive innovation and improve outcomes for patients and families across the system.
Duncan Burton, Chief Nursing Officer for England
The Research Matters event reflected the extraordinary impact that research-led practice can have on patient care. By bringing clinicians, academics and patients together, we are shaping a future NHS that is innovative, evidence-driven and compassionate.
Professor Tracey Brigstock, UHCW NHS Trust’s Chief Nursing Officer
Find out more about the Centre for Care Excellence.
