General partnership agreement concerning health research, talent development, education and knowledge exchange between the Faculty of Health Sciences (Health), Aarhus University, and the 1. Introduction Before the creation of the Danish regions as part of the structural reform which took effect on 1 January 2007, collaboration had been established between Aarhus University and a number of hospitals in the former County of Aarhus and the former County of North Jutland. Several organisational and structural changes in the wake of the structural reform have necessitated an update of the documents governing the collaboration between the university and the hospital sector. This general partnership agreement supersedes the original contract documents for Aarhus University Hospital (Aftalegrundlag for Århus Universitetshospital) of 1 January 2004. The most significant changes to the former contract documents are as follows: At the end of 2012, Aalborg Hospital and Aalborg Psychiatric Hospital ceased to be part of the collaboration under Aarhus University Hospital. The collaboration between the regional hospitals, including the regional psychiatric and pre-hospital services in the Central Denmark Region, and Aarhus University is intensified so that in future the contract-based and intensive collaboration will include all hospitals and the regional psychiatric and pre-hospital services in the Central Denmark Region. In the same way, the area of public health in the Central Denmark Region will be included in the general partnership agreements with Aarhus University, so that in future the agreements will include both the primary and secondary regional health sectors. It is agreed that in future the Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, will assume responsibility for research management at the regional hospitals and in the regional psychiatric and pre-hospital services, as is the case for Aarhus University Hospital. The management structure will be changed, and in future it will consist of the 'Management Forum for Collaboration between University and Region (LUR)' (Ledelsesforum for Universitet- Regionssamarbejdet (LUR)) and two coordination committees for hospitals and the area of public health, respectively, in the Central Denmark Region.
This general health partnership agreement between Aarhus University and the is part of a general partnership agreement between the University and the Region, see Strategic partnership agreement between and Aarhus University (Strategisk partnerskabsaftale mellem Region Midtjylland og Aarhus Universitet) of 6 January 2011. Consequently, Aarhus University and the Central Denmark Region may collaborate on projects also in the area of health which do not spring from this general partnership agreement. 2. Purpose The purpose of Health, Aarhus University, and the entering into special health partnership agreements is to continuously raise the quality and improve the evidential basis for the health sector's health-promoting, preventative, diagnostic, treatment, care and rehabilitation services to the highest international level for the benefit of citizens and patients in the. As regards the organisation of the research, the main premise is that basic research, clinical research and development and clinical activities are inextricably linked. The strategy for the collaboration between the university and the region within health research, talent development, education and knowledge exchange is laid down and adjusted on an ongoing basis by the Management Forum for Collaboration between University and Region (LUR). 3. Division of responsibilities The overall division of responsibilities between the university and the region within the area of health means that Health, Aarhus University, is chiefly responsible for research and for pre-graduate clinical instruction activities, and that the is responsible for the clinical functions at the hospitals in the region. The various levels of management are responsible for supplying, now and in future, research, education and clinical services of the highest quality based on the applicable rules and financial framework. 4. Parties The general partnership agreement is made between the following parties: Health, Aarhus University The somatic and psychiatric hospitals as well as the pre-hospital services in the The public health area in the, i.e.: o Public Health and Quality Improvement (Folkesundhed og Kvalitetsudvikling), o Community-based Healthcare Services (Nære Sundhedstilbud),
5. Management structure The management structure for the health partnership between Aarhus University and the consists of the Management Forum for Collaboration between University and Region (LUR) and two coordination committees for the following areas: Coordination Committee for Hospitals and University (Koordinationsudvalg for hospitaler og universitet) Coordination Committee for Public Health (Koordinationsudvalg for folkesundhedsområdet) The two coordination committees are bound together by LUR. LUR constitutes the supreme governing body, see the figure below. 5.1 Management Forum for Collaboration between University and Region (LUR) The Management Forum for Collaboration between University and Region (LUR) lays down the overall strategies and discusses important issues concerning the collaboration on research, talent development, education and knowledge exchange (including clinical development) between Aarhus University and the. LUR makes decisions by unanimous agreement. 5.1.1 LUR members, chairmanship and secretariat services LUR consists of the following representatives: The Dean, Health, Aarhus University The Vice-Dean for Knowledge Exchange, Health, Aarhus University On an ad hoc basis, the Vice-Dean for Research, the Vice-Dean for Talent Development or the Vice-Dean for Education, Health, Aarhus University, as required The head of the Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University The head of the Department of Public Health, Aarhus University The Head of Corporate Management with special responsibility for health, except community-based healthcare services, public health and quality improvement, The Head of Corporate Management with special responsibility for psychiatric, social and community-based healthcare services, public health and quality improvement, The head of department for Health Planning (Sundhedsplanlægning),
The Head of Centre for Public Health and Quality Improvement, Two representatives of the Aarhus University Hospital management Two representatives of the regional hospital managements The Chief Medical Officer for the Psychiatry and Social Service Department (Psykiatri og Social) The chairmanship of LUR is shared by the Dean, Health, Aarhus University, and the Head of Corporate Management with special responsibility for health, except community-based healthcare services, public health and quality improvement,. The secretariat services are provided by a secretariat committee of representatives from Health Planning,, and Health, Aarhus University. 5.1.2 LUR's areas of responsibility It is part of the strategy for collaboration in the area of health between the university and the region that LUR continuously adjusts the organisation and the management involved in the collaboration, seeks reciprocity between the university and the region in strategies etc. and works to strengthen the single nature and the information about the collaboration. LUR has the following specific areas of responsibility: One annual research strategy meeting Approval of university clinics Follow-up on the research profiles of the regional hospitals and the regional psychiatric and pre-hospital services Interdisciplinary research programmes Management of the Health Science Research Foundation, Central Denmark Region (Region Midtjyllands Sundhedsvidenskabelige Forskningsfond) One annual research strategy meeting LUR is responsible for one major annual research strategy meeting for a wider circle of stakeholders. The research strategy meeting discusses the overall framework for the research collaboration, including the setting of goals for the prioritisation of research areas and the expected outcomes of the research within these areas. The Regional Council of the is kept informed about the overall research strategy and special focus areas within the health science research conducted in the. Approval of university clinics With the conclusion of the Research and education partnership agreement between Aarhus University and the regional hospitals, including the regional psychiatric and pre-hospital services in the (Aftale om samarbejde om forskning og undervisning mellem Aarhus Universitet og regionshospitalerne, inkl. regionspsykiatrien og Præhospitalet i Region Midtjylland), the regional hospitals and the regional psychiatric and pre-hospital services in the may be
granted university clinic status within various areas. Based on a recommendation from an academic assessment committee, LUR makes the final decision as to whether an application for university clinic status can be approved. Moreover, LUR is also tasked with monitoring areas in which it is expected that new university clinics can be established. The procedure for approval of university clinics is described in further detail in the Agreement on forms of affiliation (Aftale om tilknytningsformer). Follow-up on the research profiles of the regional hospitals and the regional psychiatric and pre-hospital services LUR is responsible for regularly discussing the research profiles of the regional hospitals and the regional psychiatric and pre-hospital services, thereby ensuring that the research profiles are at all times aligned both with the current situation at the regional hospitals, in the regional psychiatric and pre-hospital services system, and aligned also with the overall strategy for the research collaboration between Aarhus University and the. Interdisciplinary research programmes LUR is responsible for monitoring developments in the interdisciplinary research programmes and for initiating the start-up of new interdisciplinary research programmes. Management of 's Health Science Research Foundation With the conclusion of the present general partnership agreement, LUR also assumes managerial responsibility for the 's Health Science Research Foundation. The foundation provides funding for health sector research in the and accepts applications from all fields of health science research of relevance to the health services in the. In relation to the 's Health Science Research Foundation, LUR is tasked with laying down strategies for the use of the research foundation's research funds and with the overall allocation of the research foundation's budget, including the assessment and prioritisation of applications for large amounts of funding for research. Prior to the consideration of the applications by LUR, an academic assessment is performed by an academic assessment committee. 5.2 Coordination Committee for Hospitals and University The Coordination Committee for Hospitals and University is responsible for the implementation of the strategic decisions concerning the hospital sector made by LUR.
The Coordination Committee for Hospitals and University lays down common strategies for the development of the hospital sector within the agreed framework and considers important issues concerning the collaboration on research, talent development, education and knowledge exchange. Decisions must be unanimous. 5.2.1 Coordination committee members, chairmanship and secretariat services The Coordination Committee for Hospitals and University consists of the following representatives: The Vice-Dean for Education, Health, Aarhus University The Vice-Dean for Knowledge Exchange, Health, Aarhus University The head of the Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University The Chief Medical Officer for Aarhus University Hospital The Chief Nursing Officer for Aarhus University Hospital The Chief Medical Officer for the Psychiatry and Social Service Department One representative from each of the regional hospital managements The medical director of the pre-hospital services The Head of Centre for Public Health and Quality Improvement, Management representative from Health Planning, Central Denmark Region The chairmanship of the Coordination Committee for Hospitals and University is shared between the head of the Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, and the Chief Medical Officer for Aarhus University Hospital,. The is responsible for providing secretariat services to the coordination committee. 5.2.2 Areas of responsibility of the coordination committee The areas of responsibility of the Coordination Committee for Hospitals and University comprise collaboration on research, talent development, education and knowledge exchange (including clinical development) between Aarhus University and the hospitals, including the regional psychiatric and pre-hospital services in the. The Coordination Committee for Hospitals and University has the following specific areas of responsibility: Establishing common strategies for research, talent development, education and knowledge exchange Reassessing and suggesting adjustments to the research profiles of the regional hospitals and the regional psychiatric and prehospital services. Proposed adjustments to the research profiles must be presented to LUR.
Identifying opportunities for as well as facilitating the conclusion of affiliation agreements between the regional hospitals, including the regional psychiatric and pre-hospital services, and Aarhus University Determining and continuously adjusting the principles for the distribution of medical students between the hospitals. Contributing to maintaining and strengthening the clinical instruction. Ensuring that optimum use is made of the possibilities for PhD degree programmes etc. at the hospitals. Ensuring that optimum use is made of the hospitals' innovation potential. 5.3 Coordination Committee for Public Health The Coordination Committee for Public Health is tasked with implementing the strategic decisions made by LUR concerning the university's collaboration with the area of public health. The Coordination Committee for Public Health lays down common strategies for the development of the public health area within the agreed framework and considers important issues concerning the collaboration on research, talent development, education and knowledge exchange. Decisions must be unanimous. 5.3.1 Coordination committee members, chairmanship and secretariat services The Coordination Committee for Public Health consists of the following representatives: The Vice-Dean for Knowledge Exchange, Health, Aarhus University On an ad hoc basis, the Vice-Dean for Research, the Vice-Dean for Talent Development or the Vice-Dean for Education, Health, Aarhus University, as required The head of the Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University The head of the Department of Public Health, Aarhus University The Head of Centre for Public Health and Quality Improvement, The head of department for Community-based Healthcare Services, The Chief Nursing Officer for Aarhus University Hospital One representative of the regional hospital managements Representative for the local authorities (from the chairmanship of the 'Folkesundhed i Midten' initiative). The chairmanship of the Coordination Committee for Public Health is shared by the head of the Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, and the Head of Centre for Public Health and Quality Improvement, Central Denmark Region. The is responsible for providing secretariat ser-
vices to the coordination committee. 5.3.2 Areas of responsibility of the coordination committee The areas of responsibility of the Coordination Committee for Public Health in the cover the collaboration between Aarhus University and Public Health in the. The Coordination Committee for Public Health has the following specific areas of responsibility: Establishing common strategies for research, talent development, education and knowledge exchange Monitoring and inspiring joint research activities and strengthening cross-sectoral research Helping to strengthen the ties between public health research and practice Seeking to involve relevant parties in the collaboration, including strengthening the collaboration with the local authorities 6. Agreements The collaboration on health research, talent development, education and knowledge exchange (including clinical development) between Health, Aarhus University, and the is based on a number of agreements. Some agreements concern the university's collaboration with all the region's hospitals, including the regional psychiatric and prehospital services, while other agreements concern only the university's collaboration with either the university hospital, the regional hospitals, including the regional psychiatric and pre-hospital services, and/or the area of public health. The underlying agreements concerning collaboration in the area of public health between Aarhus University and the cover, among other things: Collaboration on research and teaching at the regional hospitals, including the regional psychiatric and pre-hospital services Collaboration in the area of public health The alignment and description of areas of responsibility for the various job categories of professors at Aarhus University Hospital and the regional hospitals, respectively Organisation and settlement model for the clinical instruction of students Access for the hospitals, including the regional psychiatric and prehospital services, to research-supporting facilities In addition to the above-mentioned agreements, a number of other partnership agreements have also been made with the university and one or more hospitals in the concerning specialist functions. These include partnership agreements with the following institutions: Neuroscience research Clinical Epidemiology Clinical Pharmacology Links to all the bilateral agreements made under the auspices of this gen-
eral partnership agreement will be posted on the website for the collaboration between the university and the region.