BRIDGWATER College has opened up another 25 positions on a new NHS training scheme after the success of the initial pilot.


The college has been working closely with the Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust to bridge the gap between healthcare assistants and registered practitioners such as nurses and therapists.


The assistant practitioner is a relatively new role for the healthcare sector and one year on from the start of the pilot scheme, the seven students, who are already employed by Somerset Partnership, are now halfway through their studies.


And due to the success of the first pilot, a second cohort of learners has just started training to make a significant contribution to local health services across Somerset, including Stroke Services and the Children & Young People’s Division.

 
Jess Henry, head of learning and development at Somerset Partnership, and the lead for the apprenticeship programme, reinforced the success of the scheme and the future expectations.


“We started working with the college on this project in late 2013 and are delighted with the success of the pilot to date. As a result, we have secured funding for an additional 25 posts.

 
“There have been lessons learned along the way and we have worked closely with the college to develop the programme to ensure that it can be used across all our services.”


Liz Scott-Walter, programme lead for Bridgwater College, said: “It’s amazing to see how the original seven apprentices have grown and developed in just one year. 


“We are delighted to be involved in this exciting initiative and are committed to investing in the professional development of the local workforce. I welcome this opportunity to highlight their success as higher apprentices.”

Mary Martin, professional lead district nursing for SOMPAR said: “I have been overwhelmed with the enthusiasm and commitment with which our current cohort of trainee assistant practitioners have applied themselves to this course.

“As health care assistants currently working in the district nursing service, the trainee assistant practitioners are already highly skilled in their current role. However what I have observed from working alongside them over the last year is not just the learning of new knowledge and skills, but also a change in the way they are thinking.  

"This differently means they are applying themselves differently and this will help transform the way we deliver care in terms of quality and innovation.This is a very exciting opportunity for the development of our workforce and I look forward to working with the second cohort of District Nursing Health Care Assistants.”