Clinical Room Gives Health Studies Students the Edge

Health Studies students at South Eastern Regional College are benefiting from a newly kitted Clinical Room at the College’s Newtownards Campus.

Nikki Rainey, Heath, Early Years and Adult Education Lecturer said, “Students on our BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma/Diploma in Health Studies are progressing to university to study adult or children’s nursing, occupational therapy and social work or to employment in the health and care sector. It is vital before they move on that they have the skills and confidence to provide intimate care for all service users as part of their studies in order to prepare for placements or commencing work in the sector. From our cohort of 18 students last year, 11 are progressing to university, 4 to employment and 3 are taking a gap year.

She added, “The newly fitted Clinical Room allows us to teach everyday scenarios with the use of a medical training manikin and for the students to practice those everyday tasks such as providing a bed bath, inserting catheters and intravenous cannulas, being able to read and record on observations charts and to practice good bed-side manner.    At the end of the day, students need to be mindful that they are strangers to new patients, providing intimate care for someone who may be at their most vulnerable.   Their communications skills, including good eye contact, can make all the difference to someone’s experience and ultimately, their trust.

“The Clinical Room boasts a real hospital bed surrounded with the equipment and furnishings that the students will come across in any care environment.    We have found that they really like to get out of the classroom to put the theory into practice and are able to hone their skills, walking out the door knowing they have the edge.”

Lucy Redmond, from Greyabbey, who recently completed her Level 3 Extended Diploma in Health Studies and is commencing a BSc in Children’s Nursing at Queen’s University Belfast said, “The Clinical Room has been great for hands-on experience before we went out on placement.   I had roles with Air Ambulance and in Elderly Care and Paediatrics which helped me decide what I wanted to do next.”