Since 2008 Yorkshire and the Humber Strategic Health Authority has worked in partnership with The Open University to deliver fully funded places on OU courses to staff working in the healthcare sector across the Yorkshire and the Humber region.

As part of their commitment to strengthening the local workforce, the SHA has provided development funding for local healthcare workers to study OU courses at any level. The only condition is that the course must be relevant to the student’s professional development and must be signed off as such by their line manager.

Students can choose to study a single course for continuing professional development, or build towards an academic award, including one which may be the first step into a new career in healthcare, nursing or social work.

Funding is available for all staff working at any level in the NHS in Yorkshire and the Humber (such as nurses, healthcare assistants, physiotherapists, midwives, doctors, porters and estates staff) irrespective of previous qualifications or experience. Funding is also available to employees of local organisations providing NHS services and/or practice placements to NHS students.

If you want to find out more about this scheme read our scheme brochure Healthy Ambitions. It details the key courses on offer and gives instructions on how to apply. Alternatively, visit our scheme-specific web pages or email us directly at HSC-YDF-partners@open.ac.uk.

Healthy Ambitions

No such schemes in your region? Why not investigate the possibility of a similar local initiative? For guidance or support please contact your local branch of The Open University or UNISON and we’ll do what we can to help.