23.07.07
Cornwall's healthcare professionals celebrate success at annual conference

Students from across Cornwall's healthcare providers have showcased work from their studies on the Healthcare Practice Foundation Degree with Cornwall College, at an annual conference.

The conference, held at Roadford Lake near Okehampton, was attended by employers including Cornwall Care and the Sector Skills Council for Health as well as staff and undergraduates from Cornwall College. Most of the students are studying part-time with the College while working in health-related organisations throughout Cornwall, including the Royal Cornwall Hospital, care homes and general practitioners' surgeries.

"I wanted to further my career, but didn't want to be a staff nurse as it was too desk-based," said Healthcare Practice foundation degree student Andrew, who works in the Medical Admissions Unit at the Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust and who attended the conference. "I was on the steering group last year to be involved in the development of this course. I'd like to take it further after I graduate and go out and work in the community."

Julie Smith, trainee assistant practitioner with a community nursing team in North Cornwall, has enjoyed the course and found it directly links to her day-to-day work. "It's really opened my eyes to the window of opportunity for learning and I'm already feeling like a more valued member of the workforce."

Ruth Beretta, Course Manager for the Healthcare Practice Foundation Degree from Cornwall College, helped organise the event and was delighted with the quality of students' work. "I am so proud of the achievements of our students, which have been demonstrated today by the commitment of their managers, in their presentations and in the high standard of academic work they have produced," she said. "It's given us the opportunity to reflect on last year's achievements and look forward to next year."

Tracie North, Director of Operations and Quality at Cornwall Care, was involved in writing the course and also attended the conference. "We have a good partnership with Cornwall College, which is helping to develop a confident workforce in the county, and a team who are accountable and responsible. The course is unlocking the full potential of our staff."

The course, approved by the University of Plymouth, is based at Cornwall College Camborne, and develops clinical skills and theoretical knowledge to prepare healthcare practitioners for working in a rapidly changing industry. It is delivered as part of the Combined Universities in Cornwall initiative, which is part-funded by the Objective One European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

John Latham, Principal of Cornwall College, said: "Many of our foundation degrees are developed with employers, which ensures the knowledge and skills our students gain are exactly what industry needs. The Healthcare Practice conference is a good example of how this partnership can work successfully, for the benefit of our students and local employers."

Applications for the course are being taken now, to start in September. More details are available online at www.cornwall.ac.uk or contact the College on 0845 22 32 567 or email uni@cornwall.ac.uk.

For more information please contact Lucy Thornton on 01726 226553 or email lucy.thornton@cornwall.ac.uk.

The Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has invested in the Combined Universities in Cornwall (CUC) project, both Phase 1 and Phase 2, through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund (ESF). Cornwall College is a partner of the CUC.

Editor's notes:

Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01872 223439

cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk

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