Trainees dropping out of west London hospitals over ‘ongoing pressures’

By Jacob Philips, Local Democracy Reporter

Trainees are unable to take time to study at London hospitals because they are needed to cope with the backlog of Covid-19 and ongoing pressures.

Apprentices at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital have been left frustrated by their workload and many have had to drop out of the course, according to an Ofsted report.

The programme is designed to get people to work in healthcare who do not have any previous experience. 

Apprentices learn how to monitor a patient’s blood pressure and how to take care of infections.

But the hospitals have not made people aware of the significant commitment required from them at the start of the course.

Ofsted has rated Chelsea and Westminster NHS Trust as Requires Improvement and asked the trust to make changes.

The education watchdog report said: “The majority of apprentices receive their entitlement to training away from the job.

“However, due to the ongoing pressures and impact of Covid-19 in hospitals, a few apprentices struggle to take their study time.

“Leaders recognise the need to ensure they plan adequate training time for apprentices and monitor this closely. They have suitable plans in place to do this.”

Inspectors added apprentices did not get the chance to learn away from the workplace. They are also not taught enough about theoretical topics meaning they cannot complete assignments.

Targets were focused on apprentices completing tasks rather than how they could improve their knowledge and skills. This meant apprentices were unclear about how to improve their work.

But Ofsted recognised the hospital has made improvements in how it recruits people, but it is too soon to see the impact of the changes.

The Ofsted report said: “Apprentices are aware of the differing needs of terminally ill patients from different cultures. They work with empathy and help to preserve their dignity.

“Apprentices have a good understanding of how their work contributes to a healthy society. Despite the intense and often stressful nature of their work, they are proud of the contribution they make.

“Many who have changed careers describe high levels of personal satisfaction from the work they do.”

Apprentices know how important their work is and they are confident in dealing with difficult patients and family members.

The report also praised nurses for training apprentices in the hospital wards and teaching them how to check patients’ heart rhythms.

They also train apprentices to check on patients and to let ward nurses know if someone takes a turn for the worst.

Ofsted also praised the apprentices’ for how good their practical work was. But the hospital does not help the trainees with their maths and English skills soon enough.

This is a particular issue for trainees with English as a second language.

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has been contacted for comment.

Pictured top: Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in Fulham Road (Picture: Shadowssettle/Wikimedia Commons)