Health graduates called into frontline action as hospitals fill up

Jan 1 2009 by Alison Dayani, Birmingham Mail

“Record numbers of patients have been calling 999 and high levels of very sick patients have attended Accident & Emergency departments at hospitals.

“NHS organisations, including hospitals and Primary Care Trusts, always make robust plans to make sure we can cope with increased demand during the busy winter months. This year, we have our Graduate Talent Pool to help.”

Among them are eight newly-qualified physiotherapists recruited by Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust, who are now helping patients at New Cross Hospital.

Sheila Stringer, therapy services manager for the trust, said: “The Graduate Talent Pool has been a fantastic help to us in planning to take on the extra staff we need through winter, which is always a very busy time for hospitals.

“The pool provides a ‘one-stop shop’ for us to source available staff. We get the additional support we need to care for our patients and the newly-qualified physiotherapists are gaining work and invaluable experience.”