Top marks across the board for NHS apprentices
The first group of University Hospital Southampton patient service administrators to complete their apprenticeships with Eastleigh College have set the bar high with all gaining distinctions, the highest grade possible.
The six apprentices all work as Patient Service Centre Administrators within University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust’s Patient Services Team at Southampton General Hospital. They are part of the team responsible for making bookings, outpatient appointments and ensuring compliance with the hospital’s waiting targets.
However, providing excellent customer service to patients, relatives, carers and external agencies is the cornerstone of their job, and clearly an area in which they all excel. The group are the first cohort to complete their apprenticeships since Eastleigh College was contracted to provide the Customer Service Practitioner apprenticeship standard for the NHS Trust which includes posts at Southampton General Hospital and Princess Anne Hospital.
Eastleigh College’s Professional Studies Assessor, Julie Clayton, who supported the apprentices for the latter part of their studies, said: “All six did extremely well, especially as they had to balance working and studying in the already challenging environment of healthcare during the pandemic. Their impressive achievement is fantastic news. It’s testament to their hard work and commitment, and is an example showing dedication within the NHS isn’t limited to the clinical side of things.”
Georgette Wade, Workforce and Training Lead Manager at University Hospital Southampton, added: “I was elated and extremely proud to hear all our apprentices had gained distinctions, especially under the current Covid situation. They are highly motivated and engaged individuals with ‘can do’ attitudes, and genuine interest in providing excellent patient care.
“They always show initiative and resilience and are self-starters. Following the successful completion of their apprenticeships they were offered permanent contracts, and I’m delighted they all accepted.”
Photo caption: Two of the six apprentice Patient Service Team Administrators, Leah Browning and Lydia Coleman.
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