Ashford and St Peters Hospitals NHS Trust

 

Periodic Review

 

 

·          Major Review - The Major Review for programmes run by EIHMS took place in Spring 2006.  Click here to read the report. Evidence of how we as a Locality support students and effective learning was provided to support the Review. A number of placement areas were visited by the Placement Team.

 

·          Periodic Review – Scheduled to take place in December 2007, this event will approve the redesigned curriculum (see design and approval below)

 

 

 

Commissioning

 

 

·          Student Numbers – these are largely decided for us as a result of workforce planning that stems from the Department of Health. The Strategic Health Authority (SHA) communicates this to us. The Trusts considers these numbers against any capacity and specific workforce issues and then influences these numbers, in partnership with the SHA and the University. It is important that neighbouring Trusts work together as students are part of a Locality and not a single Trust.

 

·          Mentor numbers – The Trusts commission a number of places on the Mentor course at the University; this comes from funding received from the SHA. We have a target that 60% of our qualified nursing workforce will be mentors.

 

 

 

Design and Approval

 

 

·          The pre registration nursing programme at UniS is currently being redesigned. The aim is to produce a curriculum that will train healthcare professionals with the skills required to work in today’s fast changing NHS.

 

·          Curriculum Development Groups - Clinicians and practice development staff from both ASPH and the North West part of Surrey PCT have been involved in a variety of these groups. The assessment paperwork is an area that clinicians are always keen to improve. ASPH have encouraged the participation of the Patient Panel in these work also.

 

 

Development and Delivery

 

 

Placement learning - We have a major input here in that our mentors facilitate hundreds and hundreds of placements each year. Approximately 50% of the student curriculum is delivered in practice, i.e. learning whilst in placements. The Trust also contributes in the following ways:

 

 

·          Locality Induction - The Trust delivers a comprehensive Induction to students during their first year prior to the first placement. At our last induction we were very grateful to a member of the Patient Panel who attended and ran a session with students.

 

·          Theory contribution - Clinicians are regularly involved in more formal teaching either at the University or in their own bases.

 

·          Mentor Development – In the light of the NMC Standards to support learning, PLFs have re-examined how mentors update. As a result the content of these sessions has changed, with a focus on developing the skills needed by a mentor. The Locality held Mentor Database keeps track of the mentors.

 

 

 

Ongoing Evaluation

 

 

This happens in a vast number of ways, of which some examples are given here

 

·          Evaluation of Practice Experience – students complete an evaluation after each placement. Link tutors are responsible for giving this feedback to placement areas. The PLF monitors these evaluations and is involved in any issues that need addressing. Click here to see some comments from the Sep 04 adult branch cohort after their final 12 week placement.

 

·          Education Audit – placement areas are required to participate in an Education Audit every two years. This monitors that standard within the placement area and focuses on the Practice Learning Environment, Provision of Care, Health and Safety, and Student Support and Assessment of Practice. A Link Tutor leads the audit, together with a Ward Manager / Team Leader. The attendance of practice development type roles such as the PLF, Clinical Practitioner Educators or Practice Development Nurses is encouraged by the Trusts as it helps provide an overview of what we do well and not so well across the patch. 

 

 

Your comments are vital. If you think an area needs attention then tell us! Look at the diagram above and see how you contribute. Can you see an area where you can get involved? Let us know!

 

 

 

Resources

 

 

·          http://www.skillsforhealth.org.uk/page/quality-assurance