News release: Youngsters get a taste of the caring professions

Abstract

More than a hundred budding nurses, doctors, radiographers, physiotherapists and social care
workers hope to find out what it's like to work in the NHS when they attend the annual NHS
Under 16s Conference at the University of Central Lancashire on Tuesday 8 April2003.
Hosted by the University's Faculty of Health, the Under 16s Conference is aimed at local
schoolchildren who have already expressed an interest in careers in the NHS or social care
work. It provides a glimpse into the NHS and the range of career opportunities available.
The young people will be treated to a day crammed with presentations by key speakers and
hands-on workshops on areas like physiotherapy, resuscitation and trauma, prosthetics,
radiotherapy and social care.
With its own clinical skills laboratories, set up as mock hospital wards with all the associated
equipment, the Faculty of Health is the ideal venue for the conference. The event is being
co-ordinated by the Workforce Development Confederation, locals NHS Trusts, Social
Services and UCLan.
Eileen Martin, Dean of the Faculty of Health, says: "We're delighted to be hosting this event.
It' s a great opportunity to increase students' awareness of the many rewarding careers
available in the NHS and the social services.
"We embrace every opportunity to welcome schools into the Faculty of Health and we hope
they enjoy seeing and experiencing the very impressive learning environment that we can
offer."
Bill Sang, Chief Executive for Cumbria and Lancashire Workforce Development
Confederation, said: "These types of events are something we are very keen to develop. They
serve to showcase the vast array of NHS career opportunities available to young people,
encourage them to join the local NHS workforce, and as such add to the improvement of
future retention and recruitment."
Pauline Oliver, Director of Social Services, has also expressed her pleasure at this joint
venture with health colleagues and has said "Health and social care services are crucial to
many aspects of daily life. There are many career options all of which can provide
rewarding and satisfying work in local communities."
1 April2003
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Notes to editors:
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The conference takes place on Tuesday 8 April 2003 from 9.15 am to 2.30 pm in the
Harrington Building and the Greenbank Building of the University of Central Lancashire.
Photo opportunity: Photographers are invited to attend resuscitation and trauma workshop in
the clinical skills laboratory at 11.15 am. Please report to Harrington Reception.
Cumbria & Lancashire h!f:kj
Workforce Development Confederation