Last Updated on 08/08/2023
The relationship between the University and the NHS
All staff are employed to work on the clinical psychology programme based at Lancaster University. However, some are employed directly by the university, and some are employed by the NHS (Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust (LSCFT)). Irrespective of employer, NHS or University, all programme staff have a base at Lancaster University.
Trainees are employed by the NHS (band 6) and are designated trainee clinical psychologists who have contracts with Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust for a  either a 36 month fixed term period, or a 52 month fixed term period. Trainees are line managed by the Clinical Director. However, at the same time, they are full time postgraduate doctoral students of Lancaster University. The money for the training, including staff and trainees’ salaries, comes from a purchaser of training, in this case NHS England. It is this NHS body that ensures the University has sufficient money to provide training. The formal training contract is currently held between the NHS England and the University.