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Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has been shortlisted in two categories in this year’s BIBA Awards, Lancashire’s most prestigious and longest running business awards programme.
The BIBAs celebrate Lancashire’s success stories, in the form of some of the most exciting companies and entrepreneurs in the county and are run by the North & Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce. The Trust has been shortlisted in two categories – Apprentice Team of the Year and Education Establishment of the Year.
Lancashire Teaching Hospitals is a registered training provider for apprenticeships, one of only two NHS organisations in the North West, which enables the delivery of bespoke educational opportunities.
Over the last 12 months, the Trust’s achievement rates stand out. In 2021/22, the achievement rate for the Learning Mentor apprenticeship was 81.9%, compared to a national average of 43.8%, while the Senior Healthcare Support Worker achievement rate was 82.1% - 29.2% better than the national average at 52.9%.
Recently, Ofsted completed their first full inspection, and the Trust was awarded an overall grade 'good' with 'outstanding' aspects. LTH are now one of only 13 NHS Trusts in the country and the only Trust in Lancashire who have achieved a good or outstanding grade.
All this has been achieved with the background of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the Apprenticeship Team continuing to support the development of their apprentices to the same high standard despite significant organisational challenges, while providing additional clinical support across the Trust to support staffing pressures and provide extra capacity due to increased patient numbers.
To be shortlisted for the Education Establishment of the Year award, LTH has been awarded the status of inclusive employer, and is also a registered Apprenticeship Training Provider (ATP), one of only two NHS organisations in the North West.
Training is delivered using a hybrid approach of face-to-face delivery and remote learning, enabling apprentices to learn within an environment that is most beneficial to them. Face-to-face delivery is provided in award-winning education centres and is a mix of classroom delivery and practical learning in simulated facilities. Remote learning can be completed at home, in the workplace or even in the education centre if the apprentice feels they will benefit from working 1:1 with their trainer.
State-of-the-art simulation facilities include clinical skills labs and a virtual reality room which allow apprentices to explore the human body through virtual reality and practice their skills in a safe environment.
Jacqueline Higham, Head of Widening Participation & Apprenticeships, said: “Winning a prestigious BIBA award would validate the excellent standard of education that we strive to deliver. It would recognise the dedication and commitment that the team put into supporting their apprentices to achieve their potential. In addition, it would also support us to promote the quality of our provision and our achievements which will go some way in helping us achieve our organisational objectives of expanding our delivery portfolio and delivering to other employers in the NHS and healthcare sector.”
The awards will be held on 15 September 2023, in the Blackpool Tower Ballroom, with the Trust hoping some stellar achievements will impress the judges.
