Hospital apprentices win recognition and prizes during a ‘day they will never forget’
Health Apprentices from St Richard’s Hospital in Chichester and Worthing Hospital captured several prizes at Health Education England’s Kent, Surrey and Sussex Apprentice Recognition Awards on March 14.
Winners from Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust included: * Healthcare assistant Shiralee Bacon (Level 3 Clinical Apprentice Award); * Sterile services apprentice office manager Lydia Taylor (Level 2 Non-clinical Apprentice Award)
* Trauma and orthopaedics support secretary Michael Brooks (Level 3 Non-clinical Apprentice of the Year).
Winner Lydia Taylor said: “The reception was a day I will never forget.
“I met so many inspirational and dedicated individuals, who endlessly devote their time to helping others.
“Within our trust, there are endless types of apprenticeships on offer and for anyone who is thinking about applying for an apprenticeship, do it, they are, in my eyes, the best way to start a career.”
Western Sussex Hospitals was also named runner up in the Apprentice Employer of the Year category. Currently, more than 100 staff at the acute hospital trust are learning and earning on apprenticeship courses.
More than 300 colleagues have completed apprenticeships since 2015.
The trust’s apprenticeship lead, Jo Hauffe said: “I am delighted that once again the trust has been recognised as a great organisation for apprenticeships.
“I wish to congratulate our individual winners and runners up who have demonstrated that apprenticeships are available for all, regardless of role or age.”
A further four Western Sussex Hospitals apprentices came runners up: referral hub team leader Amanda Kimmins (Compassion and Care Award); healthcare assistant Marc Vincent (Working Above and Beyond the Call of Duty Award); maternity administrator Christine Thair (Level 3 Non-clinical); and lead apprentice administrator Chloe Lambourne (Higher Apprenticeship Award).
The trust offers a broad range of clinical and non-clinical apprentice opportunities, from level 2 to level 7, for both existing and new members of staff.
Apprenticeships opportunities are currently available in physiotherapy, business administration and radiology. Head of nursing and midwifery (education), Trish Rigby said: “Healthcare apprenticeships at Western Sussex Hospitals offer a consistent approach to personal and professional development with the emphasis on growing our talent and workforce.
“Apprenticeships have enabled individuals without the relevant qualifications to not only progress their career into nursing but, most importantly, to develop their skills to enhance the care delivered to our patients.”
For more information, please visit www. westernsussexhospitals.nhs. uk/apprenticeships