21 May 2019
Local healthcare organisations inspiring the next generation of NHS professionals.
Staff members from University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation
Trust and have been getting out into the community to give local
school children a unique opportunity to experience the reality of a
range of NHS roles.
In the largest and most comprehensive event of its kind that has
been held by healthcare organisations in Bristol, doctors, nurses,
surgeons, pharmacists, technicians, managers and scientists from UH
Bristol, alongside paramedics from South West Ambulance Service
Foundation Trust (SWASFT), visited Bristol Brunel Academy (BBA)
where they gave over 200 year seven students an immersive and hands
on experience of what working for the NHS was like through a range
of simulated emergency situations.
Activities included attending the site of a simulated 'car
crash' and seeing paramedics from SWASFT and medical professionals
from UH Bristol, complete with a full-sized simulation ambulance,
responding to the scene how they would in real life and also giving
the students the opportunity to perform various emergency
procedures on mannequins and actors.
Students also took part in interactive scenarios in an emergency
department where they carried out observations and some common
procedures; theatres, where they participated in a range of vital
activities that would be carried out by theatre staff in real life;
and on a ward, where they were given the chance to speak to NHS
staff from different areas and find out more about what different
careers in the NHS looked like and the kind of
skills/qualifications they would need.
Laura Harrison, staff nurse at UH Bristol organised and led the
event. She said:
"It's been a fantastic day that's enabled young people to
fully submerse into many of the NHS career roles. Students have
been attending trauma scenes as paramedics, using ultrasound like
vascular scientists, reviewing imaging like radiographers, triaging
and admitting patients in a busy emergency department, preparing
for theatre like operating department practitioners and
understanding the non-clinical opportunities the NHS has to
offer"
"The Community Outreach Simulation Project's ethos is about
building a bridge between what young people enjoy doing and
potential clinical or non-clinical NHS careers they may wish to
aspire to. We want all young people to feel inspired, raise
aspirations and consider our much loved NHS as a future
employer"
The day forms part of a wider programme funded by Health
Education England and it follows on from other, smaller scale,
community simulation outreach events led by staff from Bristol
Medical Simulation Centre with the support of other UH Bristol
staff. Speaking about the importance of engaging with local schools
and the local community in such a way,Dan Freshwater-Turner, chair
of the BMSC and consultant in the intensive therapy unit at UH
Bristol, said:
"Having a workforce that understands the communities we serve is
vital to any NHS organisation. Days and programmes like today are a
big part of ensuring this. Hopefully today has helped raise the
aspirations of local students, encouraged them to take an interest
in healthcare, and ensured we have a workforce which mirrors the
local community not just now, but in the long term."
Adding to this, and speaking about the long term education aims
at UH Bristol, Julian Newberry, head of education, said:
"Outreach work forms a core part of our education strategy. At UH
Bristol, we are focused and committed to raising awareness of
health careers and also of providing supportive training pathways
to our local communities. Events such as this simulation day are an
absolutely essential part of this strategy and I'm pleased that
this event has been so well received."
Simon Jones, Assistant Principal at Bristol Brunel Academy
said,"The students had an amazing and thought provoking day
discovering the various career pathways available at the NHS. My
colleagues and I would like to thank everyone who took part and we
were honoured to be chosen to host this prestigious event. We
sincerely hope that in the future some of our students consider a
career with the NHS."
Wayne Evans, simulation education and i-learn lead at SWASFT
said:
Today has been a really enjoyable experience both for the students
and for all of the staff involved. It's extremely rewarding
speaking to local students about our roles and giving them the
opportunity to experience it first-hand. This is the largest
simulation day we've ever done, and everyone at SWASFT, and at UH
Bristol is extremely proud to have given local students such a
unique opportunity.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
Media contact: Matt Thackray, press officer, UH Bristol. Matthew.thackray@uhbristol.nhs.uk
01173423629
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