On Monday 27th January, the Undergraduate Team, led by Professor Madhavi Paladugu, had the pleasure of welcoming Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Manchester, at Royal Preston Hospital. He was joined by Professor Jennifer Hallam, Chair in Assessment and Educational Advancement & Vice Dean for Teaching, Learning and Student Experience, and Professor Margaret Kingston, Director of Undergraduate Medical Studies at UoM.
The visit was a wonderful opportunity to showcase the excellent work being done at Preston, as Professor Ivison and his colleagues were keen to explore the vibrant educational opportunities and student experiences at LTHTr. Throughout the visit, they were particularly attentive to both the challenges our students face and the broader issues that may shape the future of healthcare education and service delivery.
The day began with an engaging discussion between Professors Ivison, Hallam, and Kingston and our Undergraduate Team. The conversation highlighted the strengths of our programme while also addressing the key challenges our students encounter. Following this, the visitors were given a guided tour of the Simulation and Skills Department in Health Academy Two, where they met some of the eerily life-like ‘patients’ sim models, that are used for students’ immersive learning experiences.
The tour was followed by a dynamic meeting with members of the Executive Team, and an engaging discussion with our medical students. This lively conversation sparked a rich exchange of ideas and provided valuable insight into the student experience at LTHTr. The morning concluded with a thoughtful discussion on the opportunities for future collaboration between LTHTr and University of Manchester.
Professor Ivison and his colleagues left feeling truly inspired by the dedication, passion, and hard work of the Undergraduate Team and our medical students. He expressed his sincere gratitude for the warm welcome and admiration for the incredible educational support and opportunities we provide here at LTHTr. Overall, it was a day of connection, learning, and collaboration—one that reinforced the shared commitment to delivering high-quality, inclusive education and support for our future healthcare professionals.
