The Trust offers work placements to students studying with Brookes University on their Healthcare and Social Work courses, giving them vital real-world experience as they develop their skills and knowledge needed for a successful career.

This year the university has produced a booklet detailing the feedback from students, and Oxford Health has once again impressed. Their messages of gratitude have been collected into a booklet, Celebrating Excellence in Practice Education 2022.

Study is backed up by on the job placements

Britta Klinck, Oxford Health’s Deputy Chief Nurse, said: “I take every opportunity to tell people that Oxford Health is a great place to work. But it means so much when people taking their first steps into a career take the time to tell everyone about their experience with us.

“We want to do all we can to support students as it brings enormous benefits for them, the Trust and all of our patients. I want to thank Brookes University for their ongoing commitment to providing excellent courses and helping to keep the NHS supplied with excellent staff for now and into the future.

“All Oxford Health nurses and teams have stood up to the enormous challenges of the past two years and our nurses have never been more needed and valued. I am extremely proud of how the Trust’s nurses  have responded and thank them for continuing to not only to give excellent care to patients but to support and train our future nurses.

“It is also worth mentioning that our mental health services in Bucks also received a placement of the year award from University of Bedfordshire this year which went to Aylesbury CMHT (North).”

Here’s just a fraction of the amazing comments from students who spent time working with Oxford Health teams:

“During the entire placement, what struck me most and made me most regretful to leave this placement was the feeling of ‘Family’ that just seemed to exude from everyone.” – Forensic CMHT (Oxford Clinic), Littlemore Mental Health Centre

“Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust My placement was so amazing. I felt so welcomed by everyone. I had so many learning opportunities and received the best support.” – Lambourn House, Littlemore Mental Health Centre

“On the Vaughan Thomas, students were welcomed and made to feel as part of the team. The professionals on the ward created an environment that is ideal for learning by challenging me to be the best I could be. All students were encouraged to identify and use the many learning opportunities available to build on our practice.” – Vaughan Thomas Ward, Warneford Hospital

“Despite going out into practice during the pandemic, each day I was looking forward to going out with the team and meeting patients, which I found very rewarding. The pandemic taught me a lot and I appreciate that. This is a really good place for students to learn as you see what you won’t find in most areas and if in doubt, they are happy to guide you. It was an opportunity that was a step up from my normal part-time job as a learning disability support worker.” Hospital at Home, Abingdon

“This placement was absolutely amazing. I was given lots of learning opportunities and was encouraged to go outside of my comfort zone at times but was greatly supported through this. Despite COVID, I was given many opportunities. It has made me grow in confidence so much.” – Older Adults Community Mental Health Team

“I learnt so much from being on placement here and it has provided me with the base/ steppingstone for my Occupational Therepy career.” – Early Intervention Service, Warneford Hospital

Alison Williamson, Learning Environment Improvement Scholar from Oxford Health, explained: “The last two years have been incredibly challenging for services across the Trust, but that hasn’t stopped our teams making sure that students studying a wide range of subjects are able to get the hands-on experience that they need.

“We have a long history of embracing the very positive aspects of inviting people studying for a career in the NHS to gain experience with us, and long may this continue.

“By working with Brookes University we are ensuring that the Trust plays its part in increasing the number of nurses recruited nationally and also to bringing more Allied Health Professionals into the fold.”

In the introduction to Celebrating Excellence in Practice Education 2022 Astrid Schloerscheidt, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Dean Faculty of Health and Life Sciences Oxford Brookes University, said: “Practice learning is essential to our health and social care students’ education. The last two years has seen many of our placement providers and students rise to the huge challenge of continuing to provide high quality placements in the most unprecedented of circumstances.

“To the teams at all of our placement providers, we would like to say a huge THANK YOU for your dedication to providing outstanding learning experiences for our students.”