The University of Salford’s Dean of the School of Nursing, Midwifery, Social Work and Social Sciences, met with Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt as part of trade visit to China to boost collaboration with the country’s health sector.
The visit is part of the week -long Department for International Trade (DIT) visit to Hangzhou, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Guangzhou.
Margaret is part of a large delegation of British health and social care providers and professionals who have travelled to China to explore opportunities for stronger collaboration between the two countries.
The DIT mission comes on the back of a recent report, Deepening Health Reform in China, jointly published by the World Bank, the Chinese Government and the World Health Organisation, which recommends that China moves away from its current hospital-centric model to one focussed on primary care and offering better value for money.
There is a strong willingness from the public and private sectors in China to work with UK companies, including training, education and research providers, to help develop, implement and manage services across the spectrum of care.
Delegates are meeting senior Chinese ministers and will be visiting new integrated care facilities and Shenzhen People’s Hospital, as well as taking part in a packed programme of seminars and workshops.
Margaret said: “The University of Salford is one of the largest trainers of nurses, midwives and allied health professionals in the North West, and this delegation was a wonderful opportunity to tell key figures in both the Chinese and British governments about the innovative work we are currently doing.
“I told the Secretary of State about how we collaborate with a wide range of industry partners across health and social care to produce highly skilled graduates, as well as how we work with stakeholders across the northern powerhouse to address the health outcomes arising from Devo Manc.
“I also outlined our strong partnership work with other North West universities and our plans for a private medical school to train the next generation of doctors and health professionals.”
In addition to the trade mission, Margaret is also visiting the Guangdong Food and Drug Vocational College on Friday to meet with their senior leadership team.
At a special graduation ceremony, she will present degree certificates to the first cohort of Chinese students who completed our Masters in Nursing programme.
Margaret added: “I am thrilled to be able to present graduation certificates to our new nurses in Guangdong. We already have an excellent reputation with the Chinese health and social care sector and this visit will prove very useful in exploring how we can take this to the next level.”