COFNODION Y CYFARFOD
BWRDD PARTNERIAETH Y PRIFYSGOL CYMERADWYO
APPROVED MINUTES OF THE
UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIP BOARD MEETING
Date and Time of Meeting:
Venue:
16 November 2015 9:30 - 12:30
Board Room, Corporate Offices, Ystwyth Building, St David‟s
Park, Carmarthen SA31 3BB
Present:
Professor John Gammon, Independent Member (Chair)
Sarah Jennings, Director of Governance, Communications & Engagement
Steve Moore, Chief Executive (part)
Caroline Oakley, Director of Nursing, Quality & Patient Experience
Lisa Gostling, Director of Workforce & Organisational Development
Nia Williams, Executive Project Manager (deputising for Sue Fish)
Kathryn Davies, Director of Commissioning, Therapies & Health Sciences
Teresa Owen, Director of Public Health (part)
Dr Keir Lewis, Respiratory Consultant/Director of R&D(part)
Bernardine Rees, HDdUHB Chair
Sian-Marie James, HDdUHB, Vice Chair
Eifion Griffiths, Independent Board Member
Professor John Wyn-Owen, University of Wales Trinity St David
Professor Ceri Phillips, University of Swansea
Professor Keith Lloyd, University of Swansea
Professor Hilary Lappin-Scott, University of Swansea
Will Oliver, Assistant Director of Therapies and Health Science
Dr Jane Davidson, University of Wales Trinity St David
Professor Liz Wilson, University of Wales Trinity St David
In
Attendance:
Alison Gittins, Head of Corporate Governance (Secretariat)
Leanne Thomas, PA to Board Secretary (Minutes)
Agenda
Item
Action
Item
UPB(15)16 Welcome and Introductions
The Chair, Professor John Gammon, opened the meeting welcoming all
attendees. Prof. Gammon advised that this was the second meeting of
the University Partnership Board (UPB) under the new governance
structure of Hywel Dda University Health Board.
UPB(15)17 Apologies
Apologies for absence were received from:
Sue Fish, Clinical Programme Director, Mid Wales Healthcare
Collaborative
Philip Kloer, Medical Director/Director of Clinical Strategy
Joe Teape, Director of Operations/Deputy Chief Executive
Karen Miles, Director of Finance, Planning & Performance
Professor Mike Phillips, University of Wales Trinity St David
Professor Marc Clement, University of Swansea
Professor Chris Thomas, University of Aberystwyth
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UPB(15)18 DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS (FOR ITEMS ON THE AGENDA)
Professor John Wyn-Owen declared that he chaired the Executive
Group of the Academic Health Science Collaboration South West Wales
Regional Hub
UPB(15)19 MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 7TH JULY 2015
RESOLVED - that the minutes of the meeting of the 7th July 2015 be
approved as a correct record with the following amendments:
 PRESENT - to reflect the following designation of members:
 Professor Keith Lloyd – University of Swansea
 Professor Mike Phillips - University of Wales Trinity St David
 Professor Marc Clement - University of Swansea
 Professor Chris Thomas – University of Aberystwyth
UPB(15)20 TABLE OF ACTIONS AND MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
OF THE MEETING HELD ON 7TH JULY 2015
 UPB (15)5: Draft University Partnership Board Terms of
Reference: Completed. Amendments incorporated in final version for
presentation to the Board on 26th November 2015 for approval.
 UPB(15)6: Memorandum of Understanding: Completed.
Amendments incorporated and revised MOU scheduled for signature
on 16th November 2015.
 UPB(15)7: University Partnership Board Work-Stream Update –
For discussion later on in the agenda.
 UPB(15)8: A Regional Collaborative for Health: For discussion
later on in the agenda.
 UPB(15)9: Mid Wales Healthcare Collaborative (MWHC) Centre of
Excellence in Rural Health: For discussion later on in the agenda.
 UPB(15)10: Cynefin and MPHIL Students: Completed. Links made
within the DPH Annual Report for presentation to the Board on 26th
November 2015.
 UPB(15)12: UPB Status Action Plan: For discussion later on in the
agenda.
UPB(15)21 MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
Prof. Gammon reminded members of discussion at the previous UPB
meeting regarding the content of the draft MOU. The draft MOU had
subsequently been circulated for comments which have been
incorporated into the MOU presented for signature at today‟s meeting by
the three key partner Universities - Aberystwyth, Swansea and Trinity St
David. As no representative from Aberystwyth University was present,
Prof. Gammon took the decision for the MOU to be signed by
representatives of the Universities present, and for a signature from
Aberystwyth University to be added at a later date. As an assurance for
the UPB, Prof. Gammon undertook to ensure completed copies, in both
Welsh and English, would be made available for each University.
A group photograph for media release was taken with Professor Hilary
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Lappin-Scott signing on behalf of the University of Swansea, Dr Jane
Davison signing on behalf of Trinity St David, and Steve Moore, CEO,
signing on behalf of Hywel Dda University Health Board.
The following ACTIONS were agreed:
 Representative from Aberystwyth University to sign the
Memorandum of Understanding;
 Welsh language version of document to be made available for
signature;
 Complete signed documents, in both Welsh and English, to be
disseminated to each University.
UPB(15)22 HYWEL DDA UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIP BOARD DRAFT
STRATEGY
Prof. Gammon reminded members of the previous meeting‟s useful
and productive discussion on the strategy it is intended to adopt in
order to utilise the strength within the University collaborative for the
Hywel Dda region. It was agreed to work towards developing a
strategy based on the 3 key areas of workforce, resource and
innovations, and collaborations, recognising the need to develop
these further to exploit the benefits involved.
Discussions have been held with key partners and agreement reached
that cogniscence must be given to the metrics against which the UHB
will be assessed as achieving its University status recognising that
these metrics have to be the driving force behind the strategy:

University Links

Health Education and Training Contribution

Contribution to Quality Care

Contribution to Health Research

Contribution to other Health Related activities
Whilst the draft Strategy is recognised as being “light” currently,
discussions have been held with the UHB‟s Executive Team who
acknowledge the need to allow partners the opportunity to inform it
and develop it further. Prof Gammon proposed that each University
should undertake an exercise to scope their contribution to the UPB to
inform the strategy, enabling them to demonstrate their individual
strengths, and providing the UHB with the opportunity to link in with
the most appropriate University for particular areas to drive this
agenda forward.
Prof. Gammon, in conjunction with Sarah Jennings, undertook to draft
parameters to help with this scoping exercise, and it was agreed to
ask for request representations from Universities within 6 weeks of
request.
As well as reflecting Welsh Government metrics on which it will
assess the UHB‟s university status, it was agreed that the strategy
would also need to;
 reflect impact;
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
be meaningful in terms of delivery, breadth and outcomes;
be read as a mutual benefit between the UHB and its
Universities, and also between Universities.
Members were requested to submit their contributions in order that a
revised strategy could be presented to the UPB in April 2016 in
readiness for Board approval in May 2016. Sarah Jennings stressed
the need for a clear, cohesive thread running through the strategy, the
3 domain plans and the documentation for submission to Welsh
Government, in order to demonstrate evidence of compliance.
The following ACTIONS were agreed:
 To draft parameters to assist the scoping exercise;
 To submit contributions within 6 weeks of request.
UPB(15)23 WORKFORCE AND ORGANISATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACTION
PLAN
Lisa Gostling informed members that the UHB is working in
collaboration with its Universities to hold careers events, the most
recent of which took place in conjunction with Trinity St David which
proved very successful.
Members were further informed of a further opportunity taking place
with Trinity St David involving a Diploma in Higher Education for those
unsuccessful in applying to undertake nurse training, representing an
excellent example of a good career pathway for young people, and
providing an opportunity for students to move into nursing or onto
another University course in light of access programmes having
recently been cut.
In terms of benchmark information, Members were informed of the
number of current work experience placements which it is hoped to
double by contacting local schools and promoting these places within
Hywel Dda to provide meaningful work experience. So far this year, 18
people have completed apprenticeships, and discussions are ongoing
with Pembrokeshire College on how Hywel Dda could create its own
talent bank for the future.
Bernardine Rees queried whether work is being undertaken to support
any potential in-house Consultant development, given the current
difficulty with external recruitment, and a timescale for achievement of
this. Lisa Gostling responded that discussions are ongoing with
members of the Workforce & OD Team and that she would anticipate
producing something tangible within the next 6 months. Prof. Gammon
advised of associated schemes within primary care that could be
extended to secondary care which may assist
Members concurred with the need to support the next level of doctors
to ensure leadership for the future and to undertake this in a timely
manner.
Dr Keir Lewis joined the UPB meeting.
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Keir Lewis provided an update in regard to Bevan Fellow activity and it
was agreed to capture this within the Workforce & OD Workstream
update in future
The following ACTION was agreed:
 To produce a plan to develop in-house Consultants.
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UPB(15)24 RESEARCH, INNOVATION AND TRANSLATION ACTION PLAN
Keir Lewis advised members that all potential opportunities for
research and research development in regards to the ARCH project
were being exploited, and because of this, a business plan has been
developed to acquire a new post to attend all the ARCH strategy
meetings, working groups, and parallel ARCH developments.
Steve Moore left the UPB meeting.
Having appointed Keir Lewis as the first academic Chair of Hywel
Dda, the need was agreed to appoint 3 or more Chairs over the next
few years recognising the positive impact this will have on recruitment
and retention and improving the research innovation culture.
Consideration could also be given to a joint professor post in nursing
which has previously been discussed with Caroline Oakley.
It was agreed to put some pace behind this for the next UPB meeting,
including timelines, particularly as the Action Plan did not do justice to
the work being undertaken.
Caroline Oakley commented that this represented a positive way
forward and that whilst a number of foundation study grants in nursing
had been achieved, these were more around innovation and
development as opposed to strictly research, but worthy of capture as
these also inform creativity.
The following ACTION was agreed:
 To update action plan to be more reflective of the workstreams
position with clear timelines
UPB(15)25 Collaborative Partnerships Action Plan
(to include ARCH and Mid Wales Health Collaborative)
ARCH: Kathryn Davies presented members with the Collaborative
Partnerships Action Plan acknowledging the challenge involved given
the scope of the ARCH project. Members noted the inclusion of a
broad update of ARCH and the MWHC within the Action Plan, and
terms of reference for each of the work programmes currently
underway within ARCH. The paper provides a high level summary of
ARCH‟s position, and sets the tone for the approach to take across
the region in terms of the strategic vision.
Kathryn Davies offered to circulate Appendix 1 Personalised Wellness
to members, which represents an emerging relationship between the
ARCH programme and a commercial partner in the US, looking to
scope what personalised medicine and molecular diagnostics might
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look like in terms of implementing a clinical operational programme,
and the scope for increasing commercial partnerships.
MWHC: Nia Williams informed members that work is ongoing in
establishing the Centre for Excellence in Rural Healthcare and that
scoping should be complete by the end of the November 2015, with
plans to formally launch the centre in March 2016. Nia Williams
confirmed that Dr Sue Fish had linked in with ARCH in this regard and
also established links with other Universities across Wales.
Prof. Gammon commented that whilst it was evident from the
workshop held on 31st July 2015 the amount of work being undertaken
on this in Aberystwyth, there is also a wealth of expertise within Trinity
Saint David and Swansea Universities in regard to rural health and
research that should be utilised, and the UHB must take the
opportunity of maximising the potential available from each University
area. Bernardine Rees endorsed this collaborative approach stressing
the need to be mature in how this agenda is dealt with going forward.
John Wyn-Owen advised that rural health collaboration also forms a
part of ARCH and that all involved need to be working to the same
inventory and goals i.e. a network of collaborating centres. Currently
the health of the population in rural Wales appears to be less
equitable than in urban areas and discussions have been held with
Teresa Owen on the evidence for this given that it runs counter to the
view in England.
John Wyn Owen suggested the model of Coleg Cenedlaethol
Cymraeg which is a virtual model may be an effective model for
adopting for the Centre of Excellence in Rural Healthcare.
The following ACTION was agreed:
 To circulate Appendix 1 Personalised Wellness to members.
UPB(15)26 UNIVERSITY OF WALES TRINITY ST DAVID PROPOSAL TO
SUPPORT THE UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIP BOARD
Dr Jane Davidson presented members with the Trinity Saint David
proposal to support the UPB in terms of higher education focusing on
the 4 areas of ARCH where the University has real skills to contribute:
• Collaborative Skilled Workforce Development - in terms of
creating a flexible, integrated, long-term supply pipeline and
workforce development plan. Professor Liz Wilson advised
members of the bilingual professional practice framework in place
for accrediting and accumulating work-based learning in a timely
manner including “Porth Agored”, a degree in social work, and the
“Living Room”, a drug rehabilitation training in Cardiff.
• Collaborative Service Delivery – in terms of an integrated
approach to societal health and well-being as a country; actively
ensuring that children and young people have a healthy start in
life; and working with communities and individuals to enable them
to make better choices for themselves and their children. Jane
Davidson alluded to a wide range of psychological interventions
to improve service delivery through Trinity St David‟s School of
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•
•
Psychology, some of which have been picked up by the national
media; medical anthropology looking at specific groups within the
population i.e. the house-bound; innovative areas within Health
Informatics; and physical literacy to take responsibility for
engagement in physical activities for life,
Collaborative Research and Innovation – in terms of developing
and translating leading healthcare innovation to the benefit of the
population of the region and beyond, Jane Davidson cited
examples of Cerebra, Design 4 Health and Laser Technologies to
demonstrate the level of research linked to these assistive
technologies, with some world leading practice within the region
to take forward.
Collaborative Rural Health – recognising that whilst an
increasing proportion of the population moving into the over 65
age group is a general feature, in the case of rural areas its effect
is infinitely more acute than elsewhere.
In terms of the Wellbeing of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015,
wellness was added late into ARCH‟s agenda, and although Universities
do not have to comply with the act individually, their governing body
does in tandem with Health Boards and Local Authorities. The decision
has already been made to use the 7 wellbeing goals as a guiding
principle to engage with others to clearly demonstrate how to help
partners meet these goals.
Bernardine Rees was pleased to note the wealth of relevant work ongoing within Trinity St David and suggested this be presented to the
ARCH Board and to embed this across the ARCH workstreams.
Prof. Gammon agreed that all Universities need to similarly demonstrate
their various offers in order for the UHB to establish where best to
source the expertise to drive this agenda forward.
Kathryn Davies undertook to share Trinity Saint David‟s presentation
with the ARCH Board.
The following ACTION was agreed:
 Trinity St David‟s presentation to be shared with the ARCH
Board.
UPB(15)27
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COLLABORATE 2015
Keir Lewis informed members that the COLLABORATE 2015 event had
been hosted by Swansea University building on the previous year‟s
success although fewer representation from Hywel Dda had been noted.
The presentation made by Keir Lewis had been well received and it was
agreed to circulate this to members for information.
The following ACTION was agreed:
 Keir Lewis‟ presentation to be circulated to members for
information
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UPB(15)28 WELSH LANGUAGE SUPPORT FOR HDdUHB - DELIVERY ON
WELSH LANGUAGE COMMISSIONER STANDARDS
Sarah Jennings informed members that in terms of delivering on the
Welsh Language Commissioner‟s standards, Universities are in the
same phase as Health Boards. Sarah Jennings was pleased to inform
members Hywel Dda is one of the best Health Boards in Wales in terms
of bilingualism and had agreed to be an early adopter of the standards
whilst acknowledging the challenge this will bring.
Trinity St David has offered their assistance in helping to embed and
implement the strategies involved, with monitoring and assurance on
this to take place through the UHB‟s Improving Experience SubCommittee.
Jane Davidson advised that Trinity Saint David had won the contract for
the adult training of Welsh learners across Wales and had a good deal
of expertise and potentially some capacity to offer the UHB .
Prof. Gammon acknowledged that this represented an excellent
opportunity for meaningful collaborative working and requested a report
to the next meeting on the work undertaken which Sarah Jennings
undertook to produce
John Wyn-Owen drew members attention to a number of studentships
that will lead to academic positions which are sponsored by Coleg
Cenedlaethol which may be worthy of scoping.
The following ACTION was agreed:
 An update on Welsh language to be presented to the next
meeting.
UPB(15)29 SUSTAINABILITY OF SOUTH WEST WALES ACADEMIC HEALTH
HUB
Teresa Owen left the UPB meeting.
John Wyn Owen presented members with recommendations for future
sustainability from a meeting of the Executive Group of the Academic
Health Science Collaboration South West Wales Regional Hub on 13th
October 2015 where substantive discussion was held following the
refocusing and rebranding of NISCR as Health& Care Research Wales,
and the expectations that the AHSN regional hubs in Wales might
operate independently.
The substantive discussions took note of the changing landscape
including ARCH, the establishment of the MWHC, and the UPB, and the
critical need to avoid duplication or nugatory competition.
There was a clear understanding that in particular ARCH and the more
established Hub were both important and should be viewed as
complementary work in progress - ARCH a major project with its own
governance and principals; and the Hub a stakeholder forum with
interests and membership extending to other HEI‟s beyond ARCH and a
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source of intelligence on matters such as „one health‟, encouraging
research interest groups across the region and working with the other
two regional AHSNs on the Welsh Government‟s Health Innovation
Cymru project.
John Wyn Owen added that because of these changes, a new post (Hub
Co-ordinator post) would sit within HDdUHB , funded equally (£11k p.a.)
by the 4 Hub partners: Aberystwyth University, ABMUHB , HDdUHB,
University of Wales Trinity St David, to attend ARCH working groups
and parallel ARCH developments, concentrate on developments
between HUDUHB, ABMUHB and other HEI‟s in the north and west;
undertake a more proactive role in working within the HDd University
Partnership Board and concentrating on the Centre for Rural Health and
Mid Wales Collaboration. An invitation would be extended to join the
stakeholders to Powys HB, and Swansea University would continue as a
stakeholder but would concentrate its resources on ARCH.
William Oliver drew member‟s attention to Appendix 1 of item 15 – Raw
Data on the Range of Research Studies and Collaborations demonstrating the range of research activities and collaborative working
being undertaken. This data had come from the existing hub coordinator and demonstrated the usefulness of this role.
The UPB accepted the requirement for this post..
UPB(15)30 RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SUB-COMMITTEE UPDATE
Members were presented with the Research & Development SubCommittee Update Report from its meeting held on 27th July 2015 for
information.
Keir Lewis raised a concern in regard to a lack of dedicated space
available for research and development across all four main hospital
sites with space at the Clinical Research Centre in PPH now at capacity
and potentially compromising funding.
This also links to consideration of Hywel Dda‟s proposed Institute of Life
Sciences (ILS) where consideration is currently being given to various
spaces available to agree a joint way forward. Kathryn Davies
commented that whilst these two issues are linked, the immediate risk
remains the space requirement at Prince Philip Hospital
Bernardine Rees requested clarification on how this risk is being taken
forward in terms of the short term action required while building a longer
term solution. Eifion Griffiths commented on a major exercise currently
being undertaken by the UHB‟s Estates Department to identify
temporary accommodation and that a request could be made to
prioritise the dedicated space required for research and development at
PPH. Kathryn Davies undertook to raise the longer term issue of an ILS
for Hywel Dda at the next appropriate ARCH working group meeting and
to report back to the UPB on the timelines involved.
Prof. Gammon suggested that clarity was required on what the UHB is
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currently contributing to and receiving from ARCH, and that careful
thought would need to be given in terms of the requirements for the
region. Prof. Gammon asked members to support this in terms of what
they may be able to provide with planned discussion to take place at
ARCH on 17th November 2015 to provide clarity to the UPB.
The following ACTION was agreed:
 Karen Miles to raise with HD Estates Department the priority of
affording dedicated temporary space for research and
development at PPH.
 Kathryn Davies to raise for discussion at the next appropriate
ARCH working group meeting the longer term issue of an ILS for
Hywel Dda and report back to the UPB with timelines.
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UPB(15)31 RESEARCH GOVERNANCE / RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
SUB-COMMITTEE PROPOSED TERMS OF REFERENCE
Prof. Gammon requested comments from members on the proposed
Research Governance/Research & Development Sub-Committee terms
of reference.
Members agreed that the name of the sub-committee should remain as
the Research & Development Sub-Committee as this better reflects the
Sub-Committee‟s remit.
Prof. Gammon suggested that the terms of reference should be
amended to include reference to, and monitoring of, the R&D elements
of the Welsh Government‟s criteria for the UHB‟s achievement and
maintenance of University status, and similarly suggested this should be
incorporated within the UPB‟s terms of reference which would be
approved by the Board on 26th November 2016.
It was agreed to discuss the Research & Development Sub-Committee
Terms of Reference further at the Sub-Committee‟s meeting scheduled
for 27th November 2015.
The following ACTIONS were agreed:
 To amend the Research & Development Sub-Committee‟s Terms
of Reference in advance of the Research & Development SubCommittee meeting on 27th November 2015;
 To amend the UPB‟s Terms of Reference.
UPB(15)32 RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (JUNE 2014 - 17)
Prof. Gammon acknowledged that whilst this Strategy had been
functional at a point in time, it required updating in light of foregoing
discussions and the new arena working in.
It was agreed that Keir Lewis should retain the lead for updating the
strategy, and members were requested to contribute any comments they
may have in tracked changes directly to him.
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The following ACTIONS were agreed:
 Keir Lewis to lead on drafting the Research and Development
Strategy for the UPB‟s approval in April 2015.
 All members and key partners to send their comments to Keir
Lewis to inform the strategy.
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UPB(15)33 PROGRESS PAPER AGAINST WELSH GOVERNMENT METRICS
A paper and appended table were presented to members showing an
initial snapshot of activity and development over the previous two years
in relation to the criteria and metrics against which Welsh Government
assessed all Health Boards for UHB status in 2013. Will Oliver advised
members that the assumption was that these were the metrics against
which improvement would be expected to ensure maintenance of
University Health Board status at the end of 2016. There has been no
further communication from Welsh Government regarding the review
process. Will Oliver advised that at each iteration of the document,
more information and sources of information were coming to light, with a
wealth of documents (terms of reference for groups, minutes, reports,
etc), which supplement the evidence base, but is still developing.
Keith Lloyd noted the impressive amount of information within this initial
document.
Sarah Jennings agreed to establish a virtual group to share the criteria
more widely, to maximise input into their development and to monitor
their progress. It was noted that, as agreed in item 15(31) the R&D SubCommittee would monitor the R&D elements.
Will Oliver noted that while some elements of the metrics were simply
reporting activity, two crucial elements required the UHB to demonstrate
improved care and outcomes for the population as a result of University
partnership and education and research activities.
The following ACTION was agreed:
 To establish a virtual group to share the criteria more widely, to
maximise input into their development and to monitor their
progress.
UPB(15)34 WHAT MORE DO WE NEED TO DO? DISCUSSION AND
AGREEMENT ON FUTURE ACTIONS
The UPB agreed that these had been captured in the actions agreed in
the earlier part of the meeting
UPB(15)35 ANY OTHER BUSINESS
On a general note, Prof. Gammon requested members to present less
verbal reports at the meeting and to produce cohesive SBARS for each
report to enable appropriate scrutiny and discussion to take place.
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Jane Davidson informed members that the Regional Learning
Partnership was undertaking a supply and demand exercise across the
South-West and Mid Wales areas, with a document currently circulating
looking at short term needs across health and social care.
UPB(15)36 DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING
9.00am - 12.30pm, 4th April 2016
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