Vision Statement
We believe that through the use of research and development we can further improve the healthcare systems for communities and people in the Highlands. Practitioners will be enabled to access knowledge, evaluate evidence and implement changes within practice. Some will develop new knowledge and skills through research activity. This Network will support this work.
Introduction
The potential of research to bring about positive change to the people living in the Highlands is at the heart of what we are seeking to achieve through the implementation of this framework. The first stages of delivering this vision focus on the development of culture within nursing midwifery and allied health professionals (NMAHP) that sees research as a key component of their working lives. To achieve this we need first of all to know where our starting off point is and to develop a clear picture of the level of research activity that is currently taking place across NHS Highland NMAHPs.
The aim is to engage as many staff as possible in the research process and to seek to increase the level of research awareness that is present in the workforce. We must ensure that NMAHPs have access to information around the opportunities to undertake training in research and development related activities and to be aware of the opportunities that exist to participate in this process. To do this we must challenge the perception of research as being something that is divorced from practice and instead generate the belief that research is at the very heart of clinical practice for the NMAHP workforce in NHS Highland.
To deliver on this challenging framework we recognise that we must further develop our partnerships with our colleagues in higher education to share the expertise that exists there. We must also ensure that NMAHPs in NHS Highland have the knowledge and opportunity to identify and pursue careers in research. To do this we must ensure that a career framework is available for people to draw upon to identify their learning goals and forge a successful career and further develop the depth of NMAHP research
Overall, our strategic aim is to evolve a culture of enquiry and partnership with our populations which ensures that practice is dynamic and utilises latest evidence.
