Justine Greening, local MP, gave a welcome speech, underlining her support for investing in new apprenticeships at the NHS. Other key speakers on the day included Baroness Tonge, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Health, Bridget Herniman, Skills for Health, and Amber Najam, NHS Wandsworth Rehabilitation Workshop Apprentice.

Amber Najam began work as an apprentice at the rehabilitation workshop at Queen Mary’s Hospital in 2007, after completing an engineering diploma at Kingston College. She has been working as an NHS apprentice for almost two years.

Amber said: “ Being an apprentice has opened up a whole new world, offering me a well-paid promising career, with the chance to earn wages while learning new skills. My team are dedicated to their work, and always willing to help me. I’ve learnt so much already, and I still have a long way to go. I’m really grateful for this amazing opportunity and I’m excited about my future career in the NHS.”

 

Left to right; Diana Morgan (Limbless Association), Ray Edwards (Limbless Association), Zafar Khan (Limbless Association), Ian Reynolds (Chair NHS Wandsworth), Baroness Tonge, Amber Najam (NHS Wandsworth Apprentice), Bridget Herniman (Skills For Health), Sam Gallop CBE (Associate Parliamentary Limb Loss Group).

Attendees, including representatives from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society and Limbless Association, enjoyed a delicious buffet lunch on the day, which was a great opportunity to exchange ideas and meet new contacts. There was also a chance to give feedback at the end of the day, and suggest ideas for future actions.

Stuart Reeves, Associate Director for Adult and Specialist Services, added, “Queen Mary’s Hospital, Roehampton, is proud to join the Associate Parliamentary Limb Loss Group in supporting Lord Darzi’s proposal to double investment in healthcare apprenticeships over the next four years. It’s important to recognise the valuable contribution that NHS apprentices can offer, and we are hoping to increase the number of apprenticeships available in Wandsworth in the future.”

May 28, 2009