Students from Selby College have begun a virtual work placement project at the New Selby War Memorial Hospital - providing them with the opportunity to gain valuable experience from National Health Service (NHS) healthcare professionals.

Eight A Level Biology and Health & Social Care students are taking part in the project, which will see them gain insight into the day-to-day workings and different departments of the NHS. As part of the placement, staff at Selby Hospital will deliver virtual sessions to the students including demonstrations on how to use medical equipment and opportunities to ask them questions regarding their roles, benefitting from careers advice.

To ensure the students gain as much hands-on experience as possible, blood pressure machines have been delivered to the College so that the students can learn how to administer blood pressure tests and correctly read results.

Dr John Reid, a GP from Selby said: “I am delighted to be a part of such a fantastic project. It was originally planned to run for the first-time last year, but was unfortunately cut short due to Covid-19 restrictions. However, the past year has demonstrated just how much we need school leavers and college students to want to enter careers in the Health and Social Care industry. If we can help inspire young people to see these sorts of roles as good career options, it will be worthwhile. I am looking forward to my sessions with the students.”

The placement, which began at the end of February and will last for nine weeks, will also explore the progression routes available within the NHS, with a focus on careers such as therapists, social workers, radiologists and many more which the students may have not thought of.

“The demand for more healthcare professionals has never been greater, so it’s extremely important that the younger generation understand the routes and roles available within the NHS and see these as possible and appealing career choices,” said Dr Paul Laboi, Consultant Nephrologist at York Teaching Hospital. “The project is a fantastic way for us to share our experience and knowledge with the community we serve and will hopefully aid more people to go into healthcare professions, creating a local talent pool for the NHS.”

The Health and Social Care students taking part in the placement are Aimee Hastings, Chantelle Cantrell, Evie Page, Gracie Wilkie, Maddison Howard and Sophie Rogers, alongside A Level Biology students Emma Battle and Holly Huntington.

Aimee Hastings, Level 3 Health and Social Care student at Selby College, said: “After applying to take part in the placement, I’m so pleased to be able to learn and gain insight from nurses and doctors who are working on the frontline and within our local hospital. I am considering a career as a Neo-Natel nurse so this will be a great opportunity to hear first-hand what the different roles within the NHS involve and the type of work that is carried out day-to-day.”

The virtual sessions are being broadcast at the College so that the students can use the equipment provided by the NHS in a socially-distanced classroom.

“We’re really pleased that the placement has been able to go ahead, albeit virtually, and are extremely grateful to the doctors and nurses who are giving up their time to share their knowledge, experience and advice with our students – which is invaluable to those looking to enter a career in the healthcare sector,” said Rebecca James, Work Placement Coordinator at Selby College. “I’m looking forward to seeing another successful year of the project, which we hope to make a bi-annual opportunity going forward, including the expansion to other areas in the region such as Scarborough.”

The project is being funded by The Friends of SWMH (Selby War Memorial Hospital), a voluntary organisation which provides support within the hospital through community fundraising.