A celebration took place at Chesterfield Royal Hospital to signal the end of a cadetship programme which gave Chesterfield College students the chance to gain vital hands-on nursing experience.

The 13 specially-selected health and social care students were given the opportunity to work with health care assistants to learn core skills like personal care and communication skills. They worked in many areas of the hospital from maternity to palliative care; getting a real insight into the different facets of nursing.

Student Hannah Birks, age 19 said: “The cadetship has given me unique experiences that I really believe have helped me to secure my place on a midwifery course at Sheffield Hallam University next year.

“I spent part of my cadetship in the maternity ward working alongside experienced midwives who helped me to see exactly what the role involved. It has made me even more determined to get the qualifications I need for a career in this field of nursing.”

Liz Claridge, Clinical Education and Training Sister said: “The cadetship gives us an opportunity to excite students about nursing as well as ensure they get a realistic impression of what the role involves.

“The cadets don’t just come in and watch what happens – they get involved, with patients consent, and do tasks that they would do working in a ward environment under the watchful eye of our qualified team. On any one day students could be assisting with personal care, monitoring patients’ condition, observing in theatre, or helping to care for new-borns.”

Stuart Allen, Director of Learning for Health, Wellbeing and Society said “I would like to congratulate all of the cadets and thank all of the team at Chesterfield College and at Chesterfield Royal Hospital for supporting our students.

“This type of meaningful and challenging work experience is vital to engage students and inspire them for the future. It helps them to develop and use their knowledge, skills and experiences in industry related settings whilst also preparing them for life.”

(Image shows Chesterfield College cadets celebrating with Liz Claridge from Chesterfield Royal Hospital and Rebecca Croydon, Work Placement Supervisor from Chesterfield College.)

The number of people in work in the East Midlands has increased by 13,339 and the number of people out of work has fallen by 9,620 over the past year, according to figures released this morning.

The latest regional employment bulletin from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed that between December 2015 and February 2016, there were 2.25 million people in jobs and 106,146 people unemployed across the region.

It means the East Midlands’ employment rate currently stands at 59.9%, while the region’s unemployment rate of 4.5% remains well below the national 5.1% and is the fourth lowest of all UK regions.

In terms of out of work claimants, there was a monthly decrease of 630, to 31,990 across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire between January and February, and there were 6,005 fewer claimants across the three counties than there were in March 2015.

In Chesterfield there were 1,140 out of work claimants in March, a slight increase from the figure reported in February (1,130), however 265 lower than the same month last year (1,405). The current percentage of the population claiming the benefit now stands at 1.7% and is below the national average of 1.9%.

Chris Hobson, Director of Policy at East Midlands Chamber, said: “The local labour market has stabilised following the usual seasonal spike in unemployment as temporary contracts came to an end after the Christmas period and these figures are once again positive and further demonstrate just how robust the East Midlands is when it comes to creating jobs and driving the economy.

“However, we need to be mindful of future uncertainties which may affect business confidence and prompt employers to put their investment recruitment plans on hold until stability returns.

“Changes to apprenticeships funding, the introduction of a National Living Wage and the continued rollout of auto-enrolment mean that employers are also facing increasing up-front costs.

“It’s vital that business policy continues to provide the right support and environment to facilitate job creation, particularly in the production sectors, where the East Midlands’ real strength lies.”

Almost 650 years of service with the NHS has been clocked up by staff at Chesterfield Royal Hospital.

The trust held its first celebratory event last month to recognise colleagues who have been employed by the NHS for 20, 30 and 40 years.

Joyce Allen, Senior II Physiotherapist and Stephen Bacon, Mechanical Team Leader both celebrated four decades of service.

Stephen Bacon has the distinction of being the longest-serving person at Chesterfield Royal Hospital; a title he’s likely to hold for some time.

Eleven members of staff celebrated 30 years and eleven celebrated 20 years.

Stephen Bacon explains: “I actually started at this site in Calow in 1982, two years before it opened, to work on what was then a new build. I joined the trust in 1975 as the first of a set of apprentices, the current head of facilities, Chris Tann was in the final batch.

“I was a mechanical craftsman at the old Royal, working my way up to Mechanical Maintenance Manager and when I got offered the job of Energy Manager I couldn’t turn it down.

“People often ask me what’s kept me here but in truth I’ve been trying to leave for 30 years but great opportunities keep coming up that I couldn’t turn down. But seriously it’s the people and staff who work here, there are some real characters within the Estates team and I’ve had a very good 40 years here.”

The occasion also marked Interim Chief Executive, Tony Campbell’s first public event. Commending employees during celebrations, Tony said: “This event is for you; it’s a token of thanks for all of the effort and commitment you have shown this hospital and all of those who use and work in it for such an extraordinary length of time.

“To be in the company of 650 years of experience is incredible and it’s at times such as those within which we find ourselves that we need you to bring that level of experience to bear.”

Chesterfield Royal Hospital’s first long-service celebration took place on Friday 18th March and was organised by the trust’s Voluntary Services Co-Ordinato,r Helen Kirkwood. The full list of those recognised can be seen below.

Celebrating 20 years of service:-

Janice Kirk – Patient Services Assistant
Claire Metcalfe – Assistant General Manager
Deborah Crofts – Newborn Hearing Screener
Suzanne Yates – Patient Records Clerk
Mary Fry – Patient Services Assistant
Deborah Farr – Adult Audiology Manager
Sarah Crockett – Theatre Storekeeper
Tina McCall – Hearing Screener
Catherine Smith – Senior Physiotherapist
Karen Gibbons – Assistant Practitioner
Vicky Glossop – Support Worker

Celebrating 30 years of service:-

Kirsten Grafton – Microbiology Assistant
Denise Penney – Sister
Sally Burr – Staff Nurse
Sarah Adams – Nurse Practitioner
Michael Boulton – Pathology Van Driver
Patricia Eland – Senior Midwifery Sister
Yvonne Hawkins – Midwife
Wendy Hill – Management Accountant
Nicky Payne – Senior Staff Nurse
Florence Powell – Sister
Philip Raynor – Consultant Anaesthetist

Celebrating 40 years of service:-

Joyce Allen – Senior II Physiotherapist
Stephen Bacon – Mechanical Team Leader