Coleg Llandrillo and Betsi Cadwaladr celebrate Healthcare Practice learners
A celebratory event was held at Venue Cymru recently to mark the academic achievements of more than 80 healthcare support workers from Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
Coleg Llandrillo and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) recently held a celebratory event for Healthcare Practice Higher Education learners.
The event at Venue Cymru marked the academic achievements of more than 80 healthcare support workers who achieved the Level 4 Certificate of Higher Education in Healthcare Practice.
The programme results from a strong and committed strategic partnership between Coleg Llandrillo, Betsi Cadwaladr and Bangor University and has been commissioned and supported by Health Education and Improvement Wales.
The programme develops learners’ higher-level knowledge and skills, enabling employed Healthcare Support Workers to carry out higher-level duties within their posts and empowering them to apply for an increased range of roles that extend their responsibilities.
Many pursue careers in nursing, and the programme provides the potential for progression directly to the second year of the Bachelor of Nursing (BN) degree at all higher education institutions in Wales and beyond.
The learners attend Coleg Llandrillo’s Rhos-on-Sea campus for one day per week for one year. The intensive course combines work-based experience and higher-level study, involving academic assessment at college and assessment within the workplace by clinically qualified NHS staff.
The programme has grown significantly since 2013, beginning with a single cohort of eight students. Health Education Improvement Wales now commissions Grŵp Llandrillo Menai to deliver the programme to more than 180 Healthcare Support Workers across health, primary care and social care in North Wales and across all of Wales through distance learning.
Speakers at the Venue Cymru event were:
- Paul Flanagan, Principal of Coleg Llandrillo
- Dyfed Edwards, Chair of BCUHB
- Sandra Roberts, Bangor University lecturer, emergency nurse practitioner and healthcare support worker practice lead
- Martin Riley, Deputy Director of Education, Commissioning and Quality for the Education Strategy and Transformation Directorate at Health Education and Improvement Wales
- Rhiannon Jones and Dr Carolyn Middleton MBE, Band 4 Project (Nursing) leads for the Office of the Chief Nursing Officer, Welsh Government
- Hayley Lloyd, Coleg Llandrillo Healthcare Practice programme lead
- Healthcare Practice Higher Education alumni Daniel Baird-Clarke, Kelly Duff and Sandra Roberts
Paul Flanagan, Principal of Coleg Llandrillo, said: “This outstanding achievement highlights the power of collaboration and the transformative impact of lifelong learning.
“The success of over 90% of this cohort, many of whom have progressed from vocational roles to higher-level qualifications, is a testament to their determination, the unwavering support of their workplace mentors, and the dedication of our partners at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, Bangor University, and Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW).
“Together, we are equipping healthcare professionals with the skills and confidence to excel in their roles, positively impacting the quality of care through education and partnership while paving pathways to further progression and career aspirations.”
Martin Riley said: “It was inspiring to see the learners graduating and hearing the stories of their education journeys.
“These individuals are embedded in the local community and make a massive difference in the services they work in. They are motivated and innovative and enhance patients' safe and quality care. HEIW looks forward to working in Partnership with Grŵp Llandrillo Menai and BCUHB to offer even more opportunities to develop our valued Healthcare Support Worker workforce.”
This year’s successful candidates praised the course, with Katie Williams saying: “The course builds confidence, supports the development of academic writing, develops new skills, and builds on knowledge which helps enhance day-to-day practice and professional development.”
Michelle Cooper said, “I have gained confidence and found the course very enjoyable,” while Annwen Williams described the course as “truly inspiring”.
Beth Williams said: “This course helped me apply theory to practise and develop my academic skills.”
The event's attendees included this year’s successful candidates, their guests and workplace mentors, senior representatives at BCUHB, the Welsh Government and Health Education and Improvement Wales, colleagues from Bangor and Wrexham University, and college staff involved with the programme.
Recipients of the awards also enjoyed networking opportunities and a delicious buffet lunch served by Venue Cymru staff.
To learn more about Grŵp Llandrillo Menai’s Certificate of Higher Education in Healthcare Practice, click here.