New Clinical Practice Ward helps students prepare for regional competition.

New clinical ward in opened at Riverside College to help the Health and Social Care students including the three students selected for the UK Skills Care Competition to learn new practical skills.

Three students studying Health and Social Care at Riverside College have been selected to compete in the North West WorldSkills Care Competition this July. The competition showcases and promotes the skills and knowledge required to deliver outstanding social care in the UK recognising excellent students.

Liam Vernon, Amy Tyghe and Brittany Craig were selected to compete in the North West heats and are all hoping to qualify for the WorldSkills finals taking place later in the year at the NEC in Birmingham.

Liam Vernon said, “I am really proud to have been selected for the competition.  I am nervous but very excited to be participating.”

The announcement that the three students had been selected coincided with another exciting development at Riverside College.  Health and Social Care students have been celebrating the opening of a new Clinical Practice Training Ward which will give them a real working environment to train in.

The new ward, which has been designed to give the look and feel of a real hospital environment, is located at the Kingsway Campus.  It offers students a practical and safe environment to practice the skills required for their chosen profession such as bed making, hand washing, resuscitation and the moving and handling of people.

The ward not only includes hospital kit but also boasts industry standard audio-visual equipment and a teaching area.

Janet Dale, Head of Health and Social Care at Riverside College said, “It is fantastic that we now have the ward onsite to support the practical aspects of the course in preparation for competitions, university and jobs.

“Liam, Amy and Brittany have proven themselves all year and I am really proud to be taking them to compete at this prestigious competition.  They will be working with outside agencies including the CIC group (Community Integrated Care) to help them prepare.

“Everyone at the College is wishing them the best of luck in reaching the finals of the competition”