As the first of its kind in the Yorkshire and Humberside region, the new partnership sees the Trust and UNISON working together to create a placement pledge, outlining the continued commitments of DBTH to ensure students have a positive and meaningful clinical placement experience whilst completing their training.
Nurses, midwives and allied health professionals play a key role in the healthcare system, making it essential that pre-registration students have access to high-quality clinical placement opportunities that equip them with the skills, knowledge and experience they need to become confident and effective healthcare professionals.
As the largest union in the NHS, UNISON represents tens of thousands of students nationally as they embark on their healthcare careers.
UNISON’s ‘Making Clinical Placements Better Action Plan’ sits at the heart of the Trust’s ‘We Care’ values, reflecting a commitment to support all colleagues with the tools and opportunities to develop, belong and thrive in their career goals.
Sam Debbage, Director of Education at DBTH, said: “We are thrilled to be leading the way for Hospital Trusts in our region with this new partnership with UNISON to support our placement students. Clinical placements are a crucial part of their education programme, and whilst they can be challenging, they are also an incredibly valuable opportunity to learn, grow and apply their knowledge and skills. By working together with UNISON on our placement pledge, we can ensure we continue to provide students with the support they need to succeed and thrive.”
Currently, students on placement at DBTH have a wealth of information, advice, and resources available to them in the Trust’s Education Centre, including access to the hospital’s Knowledge, Library and Information services and support from Education colleagues with their learning goals. The Education Centre also offers access to a dedicated Student Hub, equipped with a PC suite, comfortable seating, lockers and a small kitchenette. This newly refurbished space provides a valuable environment away from clinical areas for learners to study, relax and recharge during their placement.
The placement pledge will strengthen the Trust’s ongoing responsibility to provide safe and quality assured placement settings where students feel confident to apply their knowledge and provide effective care. During each step of their placement, students will continue to be supported by experienced professionals, including undergoing a formal induction process to meet with their practice supervisors and receiving protected time for consistent guidance and feedback.
Alongside the chance to learn and gain proficiency in their specific roles, students completing placements at DBTH will have the opportunity to participate in a varied range of clinical experiences and training events to progress in their personal and professional development.
Linda Cartwright, Area Organiser at UNISON for Yorkshire & Humberside, said: “This is a big commitment from Doncaster & Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Students with better placement experiences are more likely to stay within the NHS Trust they trained with when they qualify. Not only does this benefit the NHS, but it adds genuine value to the student’s training. We want to ensure all students have the best possible placements, receive reasonable adjustments for their circumstances, and know how to access support and help when needed.”
The Trust’s main Higher Education Partners, Sheffield University, Sheffield Hallam University and BPP University have come forward to express their support for the placement pledge, commending Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospital’s commitment to ensuring their nursing, midwifery and allied health professional students have positive and valuable learning experiences at the Trust.
Zoe Lintin, Chief People Officer at DBTH, said: “We are proud to be the first Trust in the region to be launching this kind of partnership pledge, which reinforces our commitment to our colleagues, students and patients. At DBTH we strive to provide the best possible learning journeys for our students by facilitating experiences where they are supported to fulfil their potential and become the next generation of talented healthcare professionals.”