On Tuesday 24 March, Level 3 BTEC National Health & Social Care learners from South Thames College took part in an immersive clinical lab work experience day at St George’s Hospital. Delivered by the South West London NHS Integrated Care Board (ICB), the experience provided learners with valuable insight into clinical careers through interactive, hands-on workshops.
Due to exceptionally high demand, South Thames College was proud to have 13 learners successfully secure places on the programme, which offered only 48 spaces to students across South West London. The day featured a series of rotational workshops designed to simulate real healthcare environments and develop key employability skills. Activities included a Life Saver workshop, where learners practised CPR and defibrillator use; a Clinical Skills workshop covering areas such as X-ray interpretation and infection control; a Communication game focused on teamwork in healthcare; and a patient journey activity exploring the roles of different hospital departments. Learners also heard directly from healthcare professionals, including a session on vital signs and how patient monitoring equipment supports clinical decision-making.
A highlight of the day was the Life Saver workshop, in which learners used state-of-the-art simulation manikins similar to those used in NHS staff training. These highly realistic models demonstrated breathing patterns, eye movement and pulse points, giving learners a powerful insight into how healthcare professionals assess patients and respond to medical emergencies.
Aiman Elsawy from the Employability Team at South Thames College said:
“This was a fantastic opportunity, and our learners gained so much from the rotational sessions. Experiencing the same high-quality simulation training used by healthcare professionals gave them real insight into the sector. It was great to see their enthusiasm and the thoughtful questions they asked throughout the day. The experience has clearly motivated them, broadened their understanding of NHS careers, and inspired some to explore volunteering and future work experience opportunities. We are very grateful to the ICB team and the staff at St George’s Hospital for making this possible.”
The College also extends special thanks to Anisha Patel and Christine Monahan from the South West London NHS ICB for their support in coordinating the experience, from application through to delivery.
Overall, the visit was an extremely valuable experience, helping learners bring their classroom learning to life while supporting their aspirations for future careers in healthcare. South Thames College also looks forward to building on this partnership, with further work placement opportunities already planned across different departments at St George’s Hospital, including an upcoming placement programme within the A&E department.
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