NHS Dream Placement inspires the next generation
Written by John Williamson on 07/03/2017
A group of students from across Cumbria had a unique opportunity to spend a week behind the scenes of the NHS during their Dream Placement over half term.
Nine students were selected to complete a one week placement in one of three NHS Trusts; Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CPFT), University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay and North Cumbria University Hospitals.
Students Hannah Young from The Nelson Thomlinson School, Holly Currie from Trinity School and Sophie Anderson from Caldew School spent the week with CPFT and all have aspirations of careers in clinical roles. During the placement they visited services, met patients and found out more about the wide range of roles that make up the NHS. At the end of the placement the students presented their experiences from the week. Holly said:
“I’ve wanted to be a physiotherapist since I was about 10 and this week has made me want to do it even more. I’ve learnt lots about different careers within the NHS, there’s so much going on that people don’t see.”
The students had the opportunity to spend an afternoon with a patient and consider all the different roles involved in providing one patient’s care. Hannah said:
“The patient we met was really inspirational. I was amazed at how many people are involved in delivering care and it’s not just doctors and nurses. There’s so many non-clinical roles that people don’t think about.”
Kate North, Workforce Development Directorate, who organised the placement at CPFT commented:
“This is the second year that we’ve hosted Dream Placement students and it’s a really great opportunity for the Trust. We learn just as much from the students as they do from us. We’re committed to supporting local young people to develop a career in the NHS and Dream Placement allows us to do just that. In fact one of our 2016 students has since started an apprenticeship with the Trust. The Dream Placement week is just the start of it; we’ll continue to support these students to help them get to where they want to be.”
When reflecting on their week, all three students agreed it had given them a confidence boost. Sophie added:
“We’ve all grown in confidence since Monday. Each day we met so many new people and I definitely feel more confident to speak in front of others. The week has been even better than I expected and has inspired me even further to follow a career in the NHS.”
Dream Placement is organised annually by the Centre for Leadership Performance. More than 70 students were awarded placements this year with a range of public and private sector organisations across Cumbria to learn more about leadership and future careers.
In the photo Holly Currie, Sophie Anderson and Hannah Young.
