1. The Lusaka/Brighton Link

2. Established 2006
University Teaching Hospital (UTH) and Medical School, Lusaka, Zambia
Brighton and Sussex University Trust (BSUH), Brighton and Sussex Universities and Medical School, Brighton, UK

4. Aims of link
To provide educational and clinical support for Health Care workers at UTH to help them provide a high standard of care in Lusaka and beyond
To broaden the clinical experience of Health Care staff based in Brighton
To arrange short term visits to deliver defined courses or educational objectives or clinical services

5. To host return visits for health care workers for a defined period to enable them to undertake appropriate CPD
To share educational materials, in particular making use of e-learning if possible
To provide necessary equipment

7. Visits to date 47 individual trips to Lusaka
33 return trips to Brighton
Considerable traffic in between the two centres

8. Areas covered HIV training for nurses
Critical care curriculum for nurses
Radiology teaching
External examiners for Medical students
Advice given on organisation of A&E
Research methods and critical appraisal course

9. Areas covered Paediatric teaching Gastroenterology teaching
Library review
Ophthalmology support
Independent Evaluation of HIV nurses education project

10. Strengths Follows well established model (THET)
Long term project, depends on individuals but backed up by institutions
Involves a wide spectrum of professionals
Fosters networking and lends itself to CDP. Short sharp updates
Tries to listen to what is needed

11. Weaknesses Short visits only
Depends on matching need with available volunteers
Tends to grow organically rather than strategically
Model cannot deliver whole training programmes
High carbon footprint

12. Opportunities
Networking leads to further work e.g. Nurses HIV project and Critical Care Curriculum, external examiner co-opted to support immunisation programme
Support for Alliance programmes
Short visits could be extended during sabbaticals or post-retirement

13. Threats Increasingly constrained NHS. Time Funding
Matching expectations