§ Dr. FoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Health in what year he expects NHSU to obtain its Royal Charter. [84035]
§ Mr. HuttonThe National Health Service University (NHSU) aims to become an awarding and accrediting institution in its own right, by meeting the standards required to become a university.
On 21 November 2002, NHSU launched its development plan entitled Learning for Everyone. This document sets out the vision for the university and is the basis for an extensive three month consultation exercise with the NHS and its partners. The responses and issues raised will be taken into account when drawing up the NHSU strategic and business plan in April 2003.
To achieve university status, NHSU will need to meet the rigorous standards which apply to the granting of such a status. It will work towards those standards as it develops and will only be able to submit the necessary application when it is confident that they are met.
NHSU have obtained agreement in principle with the Higher Education Funding Council to set up a working group, with members drawn from Higher Education Funding Council, NHSU, the Department for Education and Skills, the Department of Health and the Quality Assurance Agency. This group will look at the appropriate processes and mechanisms for achieving status, to offer advice and to draw up an action plan by November 2003 setting out the step to be taken.