Healthcare horizon statistics Pic: Wikimedia Commons

The NHS has set up the Healthcare Horizons programme to help young people in east London take their first steps in NHS careers.

Over 1,000 school and college students from over 20 schools in the boroughs of Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest, Newham and Hackney will participate in a variety of activities tailored to their age.

Students will receive advice about completing university applications as well as teaching interview skills.  Regular events are also planned to help graduates and school leavers go straight into NHS jobs.  The intention is to improve the focus on local recruitment.

The programme, launched by Barts Health NHS Trust, will run in Royal London, Mile End and Newham hospitals. By working directly with students, the scheme plans to aid future career prospects with the NHS.

The NHS is the largest employer in Britain and offers over 350 careers to choose from.  However, pursuing a career in healthcare can be a challenge, especially if you do not come from a background that has strong connections with health professions.

According to the scheme’s backers, the programme is a major intervention. It improves access and entry to career opportunities for young people. Students can take part in career awareness sessions and get work placements which include seeing first-hand how an operating theatre works in the high-tech simulation suite at the Royal London Hospital.

Barts Health trust’s strategy is: “growing the workforce of the future” to improve the health of the population and combat staffing shortages. The trust’s Andrew Affield says: “The NHS is the largest employer in Britain with so many career pathways. We’ll help young people secure their dream job and build an ambitious future for our NHS.”

For more information visit: https://www.bartshealth.nhs.uk/healthcarehorizons