Yorkshire healthcare provider supports almost 100 nursing and paramedic students

Harrogate headquartered Vida Healthcare is celebrating after taking on almost 100 nursing and paramedic placement students as part of its partnership with the University of Bradford, demonstrating its commitment to shaping the next generation of social care professionals.

Since the relationship between the two institutions began in 2020, Vida Healthcare, a provider of specialist dementia care, has seen 48 Mental Health and Adult nursing students and 40 trainee paramedics from the University take on placements at its three care homes, which deliver bespoke care for more than 200 people living with dementia.

The placement scheme provides the students with practical, real-world experience, opportunities to transfer classroom knowledge into clinical skills, and the chance to build confidence and competence working with Vida’s specialist nursing and care staff.

The patient-centred course sees the students undertake hands-on exercises, alongside equal amounts of theory work, providing them with the opportunity to experience a range of different nursing and social care specialisms.

Former University of Bradford student, Summer Marshall, who is preceptorship nurse at Vida Grange, commented: “Before I started my placement at Vida Healthcare I had a preconceived conception about what it meant to work in the social care sector, but when I came on my placement here it completely changed my views.

“The team at Vida really does care about its residents, and it was wonderful to see the team treat residents like members of their own families. The knowledge I have gained while on my placement is so valuable and the training has opened my eyes to a care approach for people living with dementia that I hadn’t heard of previously.

“I loved my placement so much that I decided to return to Vida Healthcare once I’d completed my nurse training. I feel incredibly valued here and feel passionate about providing the best possible care to the residents. It’s an absolute pleasure to be part of the Vida family.”

Since its inception, the placement scheme at Vida Healthcare has received ‘glowing feedback’ from the students taking part. University teaching staff and Vida Healthcare team members have also noted that the initiative is “hugely beneficial” for all involved.

Bernadette Mossman, Healthcare Director at Vida Healthcare who is leading the initiative, added: “Our partnership with the University of Bradford allows students to make informed decisions about health and social care. It enables them to have a clearer awareness of the opportunities in social care and break down preconceived ideas about the sector.

“Offering students the chance to share best practice and work jointly has been an utter pleasure for us and allowed multi professionals to join our team at Vida, giving them their very own career pathway.”

By Matthew Neville – Senior Correspondent, Bdaily

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