As pressures on public health systems continue to outpace workforce growth and innovation, the Russell Group is committing to go further in strengthening capacity, advancing medical breakthroughs and tackling deep-rooted health inequalities.

By 2030, the Russell Group of universities commits to training 181,000 students with the skills needed to support a modern health and care system – an increase of over 15%, or an extra 26,000 students on the current cohort.

This includes doctors, dentists, nurses and midwives delivering frontline care, alongside engineers, social scientists and technology specialists whose expertise is increasingly essential to improving today’s healthcare services.

United for a resilient health system

Professor Chris Day, Chair of the Russell Group and Vice-Chancellor of Newcastle University commented: “Few things are more important than protecting the health of the people in this country, but the system is under huge strain. Improving access to care and patient outcomes requires a collective effort to build capacity, strengthen the workforce and drive innovation.

“Russell Group universities have always played a vital role in delivering the workforce and the research that underpins the modern NHS. We have trained over 70% of the UK doctors and dentists working today and delivered breakthroughs that transform lives, from the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid vaccine to IVF treatment and MRI scanners. But we recognise that turning the health system into one that is more local, preventative and resilient will require a significant shift – towards more partnership, more coordination and more responsiveness to the needs of our communities.

“This is what our new landmark commitment is all about. By expanding the talent pipeline, accelerating life sciences innovation and convening local partners to focus on the challenges communities face, we are committing to play our full part in building a more resilient health and care system – even at a time of increasing financial pressures for higher education institutions.”

Commenting on the announcement, UK Science Minister Lord Vallance said: “The NHS is revered for its skilled workforce and making sure that patients get access to the best new medicines and treatments. This landmark commitment will help us go further in training the next generation of clinicians and scientists, lead to more cutting‑edge companies being formed, and turn research excellence into better outcomes for patients up and down the country.

“This is how the government and our world‑leading universities are helping deliver the Life Sciences Sector Plan in practice – bringing investment, highly paid jobs and healthier lives to people across the UK”.

Newcastle University’s Community Health Bus

Newcastle University’s Community Health Bus brings essential health support directly into neighbourhoods, helping people access care they might otherwise miss.

Run with Newcastle GP Services, the nurse‑led bus gives pharmacy students hands‑on clinical experience while offering residents blood pressure checks, cholesterol tests, diabetes risk scores, smoking cessation referrals and more.

The aim is simple: tackle health inequalities and reach those who need support most. Students gain real‑world skills, and communities receive convenient, preventative care close to home.

The bus also supports wider health initiatives — from community cervical screening to research projects with national partners. Alongside other outreach like the Young@Heart clinic, it shows how Newcastle University is working beyond campus to improve local health, strengthen NHS workforce pipelines and help people live longer, healthier lives.