NHS Scotland Academy Newsletter

Welcome to the NHS Scotland Academy Newsletter!

In this issue, we are focussing on our NHS Scotland Academy programmes delivering immersion training to learners across Scotland. 

Immersion training is an effective and efficient way to provide accelerated hands-on training in a supervised, safe environment without interruptions.

Through the NHS Scotland Academy: a collaboration between NHS Golden Jubilee (NHSGJ) and NHS Education for Scotland (NES), learners receive immersion training in a clinical setting without the added pressures of working in an acute hospital setting. 

Delivering these programmes is a real team effort across NHS Scotland and we thank all colleagues around the country who help us train the next generation. 

Jeanette Stevenson, Associate Director of the NHS Scotland Academy, said: 
"Thanks to the access teams and booking coordinators who ensure people who will benefit from being seen at the Golden Jubilee are offered appointments and thanks to all at NHS Golden Jubilee who ensure the right support is in the right place at the right time for each patient."

National Endoscopy Training Programme (NETP) Immersion Training

Immersion Training delivered at NHS Golden Jubilee has been providing hands on learning to trainee medical and nurse endoscopists and new consultants requiring Joint Advisory Group on Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (JAG) accreditation.

Before learners can become fully JAG accredited endoscopists, they must complete a specified number of procedures and have their JAG Endoscopy Training System (JETS) competencies signed off by a trainer.

Delivered within a live endoscopy environment, learners taking part in the Immersion Training are supported by a member of the NETP national faculty, while they carry out 1 or 2 concentrated weeks of procedures, including the completion of competencies on JETS.

Learners participating in the intensive training are supported by an accredited trainer, ensuring both the learner and patient are in a safe and managed setting.

Photo shows number of learners participating from NHS Boards

So far 21 learners have completed this training programme with a further 29 signed up for training this year.

Places have been allocated, with the help of Training Programme Directors, to trainees closest to their Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) dates as we aim to increase the number of Consultants in NHS Scotland as quickly as possible.

If you would like to know more about this training, or the rest of the NETP, please visit the NHSSA website. https://www.nhsscotlandacademy.co.uk/education-and-training/national-endoscopy-training-programme-netp/

Learner feedback so far has been very positive:  

“Great training opportunity, well organised and excellent trainers and nursing assistants. Excellent environment for training with very friendly staff.”

“Very helpful and useful experience to help achieve JAG certification criteria.”

“I had a very positive experience during my week of immersion training. The staff at the unit made me feel very welcome and were very supportive. All the trainers that I had were very approachable and I learned a lot during my week. Would definitely recommend!”

National Ultrasound Training Programme

The National Ultrasound Training Programme is a collaboration between NHS Scotland Academy, Scottish Radiology Transformation Programme, the Scottish Government and Glasgow Caledonian University. 

The NHS Scotland Academy is helping by delivering 5 weeks of immersive ultrasound training for each learner, at NHS Golden Jubilee.

Dedicated clinical experts are facilitating the training at the state-of-the art facility, allowing learners to integrate their theory and practice to develop their clinical skills.

This hands-on experience is benefitting NHS Boards  to meet the increasing demand within radiology services.  

Since the programme launched at the end of November 2022, 1,162 patients have been seen as part of the training lists, with priority being given to the Boards with the longest waiting times.

Photo shows the types of Ultrasound procedures being carried out by learners.

Caroline Handley, Diagnostic Service Manager at NHS Golden Jubilee said: “Patients will benefit from this training as the number of sonographers being trained will increase, benefitting ultrasound capacity for NHS Scotland.”

Nine learners are currently participating in this programme until July 2023.

For more information about this programme, please visit the NHS Scotland Academy website.  https://www.nhsscotlandacademy.co.uk/education-and-training/national-ultrasound-training-programme/

Programmes recruiting now

A number of programmes are recruiting now. Allocations are managed by the Scottish Government as all programmes are centrally funded, with an allowance paid to Boards to cover educational supervision. Please contact nhsscotlandacademy@nhs.scot in the first instance and we will pass your details on. 

The next dates for our training programmes are:

Surgical First Assistant Programme:

• Cohort 1 for this new, 34-week programme will start on Monday 20 March 2023.

Anaesthetic Assistant Programme

• Cohort 3 started on Wednesday 1 March 2023 to Monday 7 August 2023. There are 2 learners spaces available for this cohort. If you are interested in joining, please contact us at nhsscotlandacademy@nhs.scot before 13 March. 
• Cohort 4 starts on Friday 1 September 2023 to Monday 12 February 2024

Foundations of Peri Operative Practice Programme

• Cohort 6 starts on Monday 10 April 2023 to Friday 17 November 2023.
• Cohort 7 starts on Monday 24 July 2023 to Monday 26 February 2024.  

National Assistant Practitioner Programme (Endoscopy)

• Recruitment will open soon for cohort 2 which is due to start in May 2023. Please look out for more details on our website over the coming weeks.  

Introduction to health and social care

The Preparing for Work in Health and Social Care programme is an open resource available for learners to use anytime, anyplace, on most electronic devices. Packed with essential information, interactive quizzes and more, this resource is a must for anyone new to, or joining the health and social care workforce. 

Visit our website for more.  https://www.nhsscotlandacademy.co.uk/education-and-training/preparing-for-work-in-health-and-social-care-in-scotland/