Staff who completed training or apprenticeships have been honoured in our special graduation day.

The ceremony, which was held across three sessions, allowed graduates, their friends and family members to celebrate all their hard work.

Healthcare Assistant Harry Hathorn joined the Trust as an apprentice in 2023.

He started in Neurosurgery at Queen’s Hospital, assisting patients before their surgery and during recovery.

Since finishing his apprenticeship in January, Harry works in emergency surgery at Queen's.

Harry said:

The apprenticeship has opened my eyes to different things. One of the biggest challenges was learning all the different guidelines to support patients.

Healthcare assistants in theatres are different to those on wards. Some days are non-stop, so you have to be prepared for anything. Through my apprenticeship, I’ve improved my clinical skills.

I’d highly recommend the apprenticeship to anyone who wanted to do it. The Education team were brilliant, they were always checking in and offering support. 

Just by being in theatres and watching procedures, I learned so much. In the future, I’d love to become an anaesthetic nurse.

Meanwhile Sarah Namatovu, a Senior Sister in our Medical Assessment Unit at King George Hospital, has worked at our Trust for 23 years.

She completed a mentoring and coaching qualification so she can help develop nurses and other staff members.

Sarah said:

My mentorship skills and my management skills have improved a lot. I want to be able to help the staff with their careers as they have so much potential and so much to offer. I'd like to make sure that everyone is achieving something.

The events opened with a welcome from Kenye Karemo, our Director of Education, followed by keynote speeches at each session.

Speakers included Lesley Seary CBE, a Non-Executive Director at our Trust who encouraged graduates to “do it your way”, and Wayne Clarke from the Global Growth Institute, who offered practical tips on professional networking.

Winnie George, National Programme Retention Lead for NHS England, praised the graduates for their hard work and said she had seen compassion and strength from our staff when she visited us a few months ago.

She said:

This organisation doesn’t just talk the talk, it walks the walk. Congratulations to all of you.

Graduates were then presented with their certificates before posing for a group photo and proudly throwing their mortarboards into the air in celebration.

Our Chair Sarah Betteley said:

The commitment our staff have shown in their training is a strong indication we have people deeply invested in their development.

Our Chief Executive, Matthew Trainer said:

It's fantastic to see so many graduates celebrating their achievements with family and friends.

We're providing as many opportunities as possible for staff to grow their careers here at BHRUT and fulfil their potential. This helps us develop our own talent and improve the care patients receive at our Trust.