Hospital summer placements scheme for York students

York Hospital has launched an innovative scheme to give young people the opportunity for real paid work experience in a hospital environment.

It is aimed at helping younger people get into employment and make informed decisions about their future careers.

Sixteen year 11 students will earn the minimum wage in a variety of roles around the hospital this summer to get a taste of life in the NHS.

Sue Holden, Director of Workforce and Organisational Development at York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Pupils from local schools were invited to apply for a four week placement to get real work experience with pay. Sixteen students have been successful and will be working in roles ranging from jobs on the wards and therapies to estates and human resources.

“We wanted to show the variety of careers available in the NHS, that it’s not all doctors and nurses in a hospital. As a major employer in York we hope that young people will see that there are interesting roles available for all levels of education and aspire to work for us in the future.”

The first to take up a place was Annie Whitley, 16, who is working on an elderly ward helping with patients, many who have dementia.

Annie said: “I want to train to be a nurse so I love being able to work on a ward. I was nervous on my first day but everyone made me so welcome I feel as if I’ve been here for ages! I am really enjoying working with the elderly, I’ve learned a lot already talking to patients about their life experiences and they seem to enjoy talking to me or doing activities.”