A day in the life of the NHS

The University of Hull will help pupils from Hull and East Riding schools and colleges experience many of the different roles the NHS has to offer at ‘A Day in the Life of the NHS’ event at Hull Royal Infirmary today and tomorrow (12 and 13 November).

The interactive learning event is brought together by health and education organisations from the region, including Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust, NHS Hull Clinical Commissioning Group, NHS East Riding of Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group and the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University.

Professor Julie Jomeen, Dean of the Faculty, said:

“It is important that as a faculty we play a part in raising awareness of all healthcare professions, which also supports recruitment to our future health workforce. 

“Where students have the opportunity to get involved in scenarios such as an operating theatre; where they are able to examine surgical and anaesthetic equipment, wear surgical hats, mask and gowns, whilst gaining information on different healthcare career paths available, it will highlight how health can offer a fulfilling career.  

‘A Day in the Life of the NHS’ has shown to be a successful interactive event for local students and I am delighted that we are able to continue to help raise awareness of different healthcare careers.”

University of Hull health graduates make an outstanding contribution to improving the health of the people in our region and beyond: for four consecutive years 100% of operating department practitioners, nursing, midwifery and medical graduates have been in employment or further education within 6 months.*

Our graduates are instrumental in helping to build the cohesive workforce required by the NHS to deliver the highest standard of healthcare.

Teams from across the local NHS will demonstrate a set of different scenarios to students in which a whole host of staff play a part. It is hoped that showing students the wide range of healthcare careers available will inspire students to pursue a career in the NHS, boosting future recruitment of the next generation of NHS staff.

Following the success of previous events, this year’s A Day in the Life of the NHS is once again taking place over two days, with students from five different schools signed up to take part and Commonwealth boxing champion Tommy Coyle providing inspiration for students at the start of the event.

Students will enjoy a range of activities throughout the day, brought to them by real-life health staff. In each session, they will get the chance to learn about each role and get advice on the steps they can take to get there.

One scenario will incorporate Infection Prevention and Control, with a focus on sepsis and anti-microbial resistance. Other scenarios include showing students the importance of communicating with those in hospital with a learning disability and how A&E staff deal with an emergency situation – a teenage boy who suffers injuries after a motorcycle crash.

Simon Nearney, Director of Workforce and Organisational Development for Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, said:

“Inspiring young people and fuelling their interest in NHS careers is vital in building our workforce of the future.

“The Day in the Life event provides young people with the perfect opportunity to speak to our staff and learn more about the different roles and career opportunities available within the NHS.

“Our Trust alone employs almost 9,000 people in over 320 different roles including apprenticeships. All of these posts require different levels of experience and qualification so there really is something for everyone.

“What’s most important is that we attract, recruit and develop the right people to care for our growing population, and in return, the NHS can offer very successful and rewarding careers.”

The University of Hull and Hull York Medical School have forged strong links with NHS trusts and partner organisations, delivering life-changing research, and helping to shape guidelines to provide the highest level of healthcare for patients. The University and medical school have helped to address skills shortages in the NHS by:

• Training 1312** nurses who are caring for patients in hospitals, GP practices, clinics, schools and community health centres
• Training 1416 doctors to respond to challenges within healthcare and help transform patient care
• Training 178** midwives to support women through pregnancy, labour and provide postnatal care
• Training 93** operating department practitioners who care for people before, during and after surgery
• Training 720** social workers to protect the vulnerable and help people live independently

*(Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education for the academic year 2016/17, published by HESA June 2018)

**in the past six years