Rhianna takes Gold for Health and Social Care at UK WorldSkills Final
The Health and Social Care competition, that was organised by Profiles4Care and sponsored by the NHS Leadership Academy, aims to find the best adult health and social care professionals in the country.
Rhianna secured her place in the National Finals of the WorldSkills UK Health and Social Care Competition after scoring highly in the regional round, and went on to compete against seven others, in-front of thousands of visitors, at the NEC in Birmingham.
As part of the competition Rhianna took part in eight separate scenarios in which she was presented with a care plan and then had to use her practical skills and knowledge to react to each situation appropriately and provide professional care as if it was real-life. The tasks were based on themes that included: Diabetes, Parkinson’s Wound Dressing, Vital Signs, Dementia, Learning Disabilities Drugs and Alcohol, Stoma Care Infection Control, Basic Life Support, and Mental Health Safeguarding. Independent judges assessed the work of competitors, and selected 1st, 2nd and 3rd place for each of the 61 skills categories, within which Rhianna was presented with a gold medal at a ceremony on Saturday evening (19th November).
Rhianna, who is currently studying Level 3 Health and Social Care at Boston College, was initially entered into the competition by her tutor. Reflecting on her success Rhianna said, “I am really overwhelmed – I don’t think it has sunk in that I am now number one in the UK for Health and Social Care! I know that it’s an amazing achievement, I have thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience and the hard work has definitely paid off. I am so grateful to my Lecturers at Boston College, they all have different industry backgrounds and so much experience which means I have learnt a broad range of hands-on skills and in-depth knowledge as part of my course, but they have also given me excellent support, encouragement and additional training on specific topics, which meant I was well prepared to compete at national level. This experience has definitely improved my professional and clinical skills, as well as my communication, confidence, and methods in caring for people, which will really help me in my future career. I’m now excited and focused on attending the four university interviews I have been offered with the aim of securing a place on a nursing degree when I have completed my course.”
As part of her Health and Social Care course, Rhianna has not only received hands-on skills training at Boston College where industry standard facilities include a dedicated clinical room with equipment such as: a hospital bed, hoist, blood pressure cuff, pulse oximeter, and much more, but the College’s excellent links with employers has also enabled her, and her fellow students, to undertake an industry work placement of over 100 hours gaining first hand, real-life experience.
Ruth Catlett, Lecturer, and Jo Wright, Programme Area Manager at Boston College, attended the WorldSkills UK 2016 finals with Rhianna and spoke for the whole team when they said, “We are thoroughly proud of Rhianna’s amazing achievement! Within the WorldSkills UK 2016 national final she was competing against students from higher level courses than her as well as individuals that are already in full time employment, so for her to be crowned the winner at such a high level is a testament to her hard work, dedication and skills. We are pleased to be able to offer students a rich, learning experience that draws on the industry relevant, specialist skills and expertise of the team, providing every opportunity to learn the skills and knowledge they need for employment, and Rhianna has certainly embraced every single opportunity to the full. As a college, we strive to nurture every individual’s strengths and talents to ensure that they achieve their full potential, and by entering Rhianna into the WorldSkills competition it has really helped her to develop her skills and demonstrate what an exceptional student she is.”
Dr Neil Bentley, CEO WorldSkills UK, said, “It has been an incredible, inspiring and hugely successful Skills Show culminating in a ceremony to honour the very best young talent Britain has to offer. I would like to congratulate all the gold medal winners, indeed everyone who made it into the national finals.”
Following her success, Rhianna has already been invited back to attend the UK final next year to take on the role of a ‘Skills Champion’ to inspire those competing as well as the crowds of young people from schools that attend the event. Rhianna is now awaiting her final score, which could also earn her the opportunity to compete at international level for WorldSkills Russia 2019.