As microneedle (MN) patches progress towards commercialisation, there is a need to address issues surrounding their translation from the laboratory to the end-user. One important aspect of MN patches moving forward is appropriate primary packaging. This research focuses on MN patches containing amoxicillin (AMX) sodium for the potential treatment of neonatal sepsis in hot and humid countries. A MN patch consists of a hydrogel-forming MN array and a drug-containing reservoir. Improper primary packaging in hot and humid countries may result in degradation of active pharmaceutical ingredients, with the use of substandard medicines a major health concern. The research presented here, for the first time, seeks to investigate the integrity of MN patches in different primary packaging when stored under accelerated storage conditions, according to international guidelines. At pre-defined intervals, the performance of the MN patch was investigated. Major causes of drug instability are moisture and temperature. To avoid unnecessary degradation, suitable primary packaging was sought. After 168 days, the percentage of AMX sodium recovered from drug-containing reservoirs packaged in Protect™ 470 foil was 103.51 ± 7.03%. However, packaged in poly(ester) foil, the AMX sodium content decreased significantly (p = 0.0286), which is likely due to the degradation of AMX sodium by the imbibed moisture. Therefore, convincing evidence was provided as to the importance of investigating the stability of MN patches in primary packaging intended for MN-mediated transdermal delivery so that they are ‘fit for purpose’ when it reaches the end-user. Future work will include qualitative studies to assess MN patch usability. Graphical abstract

During the past few years, a number of universities have sought to apply the settings-based approach to health promotion within the context of higher education. The University of Central Lancashire became one of the first universities in Europe to establish a strategic Health Promoting University initiative when it appointed a Coordinator in 1995. With the overall aims of integrating within the organisation an understanding of and commitment to holistic health and to developing its health promoting potential, the initiative has developed its work programme across a breadth of health-related issues. Operating within the broader context of inter-sectoral working, the Health Promoting University has sought to maximise integrative and synergistic action for sustainable public health. The first paper presented will briefly outline the context of higher education in the UK, before providing an overview of the health promoting university approach, using the University of Central Lancashire's initiative as a case study and describing some of the key processes involved in moving from idea to implementation. The second paper that follows will discuss the theoretical basis for the health promoting university initiative, describe its work programme in more detail and critically discuss the key opportunities and challenges faced, both within the organisation and in the context of inter-sectoral working. It will go on to outline the work of the newly established Settings Development Unit and explore its potential to support collaborative working and contribute to sustainable public health.

Social therapy is an emerging model of care for people with a personality disorder but current professional education programmes for health-care staff fail to meet the needs of both staff and patients. A project at Ashworth Hospital, in collaboration with the University of Central Lancashire, is attempting to address this issue through the development of a framework of professional occupational standards from which it is hoped academic and voational accreditation will be possible.

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List of figures and tables page vii Notes on contributors ix Series editor's foreword xv Preface xix Acknowledgements xxi List of abbreviations xxiii Part I: Introduction 1 1 Knowledge, democracy and action: an introduction Budd L. Hall 3 2 Building blocks of partnerships: lessons from case studies from the South and North Rajesh Tandon and Edward T. Jackson 17 3 An architecture understood: effective support structures for communityuniversity partnerships