The Deputy Vice Chancellor of Solent University has been invited to join the Council of Governors at University Hospital Southampton.

The strengthening of the partnership between the university and NHS Trust will aim to tackle health inequalities across communities and address workforce shortages by training more healthcare professionals to work in Southampton.

Commenting on her new role, Professor Hall said: “This is an important step for Solent, reflecting the University’s growing role in nursing education and our ambitions for further expansion in this area.

“The Covid-19 Pandemic has highlighted the health inequalities across our communities and we will be working with partners to increase our nursing and GP training to address workforce shortages.”

Professor Hall added: “I am particularly looking forward to sharing my interest and expertise in equality and diversity and professional development and training.”

Solent University said they are “committed to championing a healthy and sustainable community with aspirations to grow participation in sport, health and nutrition-based activities” with their faculties of Sport, Health and Social Sciences aiming to “develop the University’s commitment to the health care profession in [Southampton.]”

The NHS Trust’s Council of Governors is made up of individuals from across the community, staff at the Trust and representatives from Southampton City Council.

Peter Hollins, Chair of University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, said Professor Hall’s inclusion on the Council will “[reflect] the deepening relationship between the Trust and Solent.”

He added: “I am personally delighted that Professor Julie Hall has agreed to become the first such governor from the University and I am really looking forward to working with her.”

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust provides services to 1.9 million people living in Southampton and south Hampshire, plus specialist services such as neurosciences, cardiac services and children's intensive care to more than 3.7 million people in central southern England and the Channel Islands.