Singapore is on course to become one of the world’s ‘super-aged’ nations with senior citizens accounting for 20% of its 5.9million population by 2030.
Singapore has long enjoyed international recognition for its excellent hospital-based system and is now investing heavily in diversifying its healthcare to cater for the growing number of people living with long-term conditions. Starting in July, GCU academics will use expertise gained in Scotland to educate qualified nurses in Singapore in delivering patient-centred care across a range of settings.
GCU programme leader Tom McAlear said: “Singapore’s healthcare system is recognised to be one of the best in the world. However, as with many other countries, it has a long tradition of hospital-based care. The Singaporean Government is undertaking an ambitious modernisation of healthcare delivery that puts the patient firmly at the centre of care management and delivery. Our programme aims to support the preparation of Singaporean nurses for the future. This is an exciting opportunity which demonstrates both Glasgow Caledonian University and Scotland’s global reputation for delivering quality healthcare education which meets changing care needs across the world.”
The University has developed a flexible two-year part-time degree programme for Singapore using its experience in delivering high quality nursing programmes to prepare nurses in Scotland to work in acute and community settings. It is anticipated the five-year partnership with PSB Academy will grow to see 300 practising nurses enrolled in the part-time BSc Professional Studies in Nursing degree each year. It will start this July with up to 30 students being taught by Glasgow-based academics through a combination of Singapore-based classroom teaching and distance learning. It is expected graduates will go on to play leading roles in developing nursing practice to meet Singapore’s changing healthcare needs.
GCU’s Principal and Vice-Chancellor Professor Pamela Gillies FRSE CBE said: “It is well recognised that health systems around the World are in urgent need of growth in capacity and capability enhancement in respect of the nursing provision. This new collaboration between Glasgow Caledonian University and PSB Academy will allow us to enhance professional development across the nursing professions within Singapore whilst also helping the University to develop new research opportunities and educational approaches, which will be of benefit to both partners.”
PSB Academy was attracted to GCU because it is one of the UK’s top 20 universities for Allied Health research and has a track record in delivering high quality Nursing and Allied Health education. The Academy’s Head of Life and Physical Sciences, Dr Martin Grunert, says its estimated 30,000 healthcare workerswill be needed to meet the demands of Singapore’s ageing population by 2020. This is the first nursing programme run by the Academy and they were impressed by the role nurses in Scotland are already playing in shaping care to meet changing patient needs.
Links