Students on tour support patients and GP practices
By Charlie Knight, project coordinator for placements and apprenticeships, the Hub Plus Derbyshire
Nursing and pharmacy students have been helping patients and supporting GP practices, thanks to the support of The Hub Plus Derbyshire.
Students on Tour 2024 is a brand new placement programme that is also an enriched learning opportunity, making a real difference in the local communities, and shaping the future NHS workforce.
The Hub Plus provides training and support for primary care in Derbyshire.
The placement was for five nursing students from the University of Derby and four pharmacy students from the University of Nottingham.
Over just three days in August and September, they conducted 68 NHS health checks across Derbyshire, providing crucial care to patients.
The Hub Plus asked students to express an interest in taking part in the programme and were pleasantly surprised to receive 20 applicants for the 10 places available.
It was clear this hands-on experience is in high demand, and feedback shows both students and communities benefited greatly.
The Hub Plus coordinated the full placement for all students, which were Horizon Healthcare and Travis Perkins in Long Eaton. This allowed a focus on specific demographics of people.
The students were supported by clinical staff and university staff as they conducted the health checks.
The checks involve compiling patient information on height and weight, blood pressure, blood sugars, alcohol consumption, smoking and exercise amounts.
The students also did tests for cholesterol and atrial fibrillation as part of the work.
Each student became comfortable in signposting to local services and in having open conversations with patients about their health and how to better this for the long term.
Not only did these students gain invaluable practical experience, but the programme also benefits the wider community by addressing health needs and promoting preventative care.
For GP Practices and Primary Care Networks, hosting this placement was a oneday commitment that has more long-lasting impacts on patients than other placements.
Within our feedback we have learnt that multiple students are now actively applying for roles within primary care, have been asked for their CVs and will be looking to start their career in Primary Care once they qualify.
After such a great success, we are excited to continue this work in the future, to transform placements and the future primary care workforce within Derby and Derbyshire.