Hospital trust awarded teaching status

The trust said the status was recognition of its commitment to encouraging staff to be "the best they can be"

The trust that runs Lincolnshire’s hospitals has been awarded teaching status by the Department of Health.

It said the status was recognition of its commitment to providing high-quality teaching.

The trust's leadership team said it would also help to attract "top-tier talent" to work in the county.

Chief medical officer Dr Colin Farquharson said: "Ultimately, this will improve upon the already high standards of patient care for the people of Lincolnshire."

The status was awarded after the trust, which runs sites in Lincoln, Grantham, Boston and Louth, submitted an application to the health secretary to demonstrate its commitment to teaching.

'Pride and joy'

Responding to news of a successful bid, the trust's chief executive, Dr Karen Dunderdale, said: "It demonstrates the importance we place on the development of our workforce."

Ms Dunderdale, who is also a visiting professor at the University of Lincoln, added that it was "a real achievement".

Dr Suresh Babu, the director of medical education, said the trust, which would now be known as United Lincolnshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, had been involved in education and training for 25 years.

He said the status would "generate an enormous amount of pride and joy, and will help us to fulfil our ambition to train the next generation of healthcare professionals".

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