Redbridge Council offers ground-breaking nursing placement scheme in partnership with UEL

A ground-breaking nursing placement scheme with Redbridge Council’s public health team in partnership with the University of East London (UEL) has been completed by the first cohort of students.

Redbridge is one of the first councils nationwide to work in partnership with a university to offer nursing placements within its public health service. Our experience demonstrates how successful and exciting working partnerships can be and we’re looking forward to welcoming the next cohort of nursing students.

Leader of the Council, Cllr Jas Athwal, said, “Redbridge is a pioneering council which continuously finds new ways of working with partners to ensure our borough is a hub of educational excellence. It’s fantastic that we can provide opportunities for nursing students through our ongoing partnership with UEL.”

Ian Diley, Public Health Consultant said, “We have been delighted to arrange this educational placement scheme. This will be an ongoing opportunity for student nurses to experience work within a council environment, and to learn more about what we can all do as individuals and communities to stay healthy.”

The students spend six weeks based in the Council’s public health team whilst working with other teams such as environmental health and local substance misuse services. They also work with our partners within the NHS, and community and voluntary services, which provides invaluable experience.

Ian continued, “This is the first of many future placements with us as we look to help many professions within the health and care sector learn about the work our Council does and build an innovative and effective partnership to promote and provide good health in Redbridge.”

Students Millicent Boakyewah and Cristina Domingos said, “The placement was extremely valuable with so many opportunities to develop skills, and knowledge that will benefit our management placements in hospital. We are more equipped to educate patients regarding health, diet, vaccinations and how a patient’s wellbeing and the environment affects their health. Many thanks to Public Health Consultants Ian Diley and Sue Matthews, and Director of Public Health, Gladys Xavier, for facilitating this experience.”

One of Redbridge Council’s priorities is to support local people to improve their health and wellbeing. The connection with UEL has enabled the Council to support and deliver training and build more efficient ways of working between professionals, organisations, and the community.

Senior Lecturer Kim O’Connor from UEL, said, “This is the first collaboration between UEL Nursing Team and Redbridge Council for BSc Adult Nursing Programme Placement. It was a pleasure to offer BSc Nursing students Cristiana Domingos and Millicent Boakyewah the opportunity to attend this new placement and bring back all the learning to share with their colleagues from the March 2021 cohort.

The placement offered a great insight into other areas and specialties available for Registered Nurses once they complete their BSc Adult Nursing at UEL. We look forward to offering other students this amazing opportunity.”

Redbridge Council is also working with Queen Mary University of London which opened a Medical School campus in the heart of Ilford earlier this summer.