The training delivered in collaboration with local care services and the University will benefit both the students and their future patients
Undergraduate paramedic students have taken part in an interactive lecture to prepare them to look after older people in the community.
The lecture was organised by Gosport Voluntary Action, Age UK Portsmouth and Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust in collaboration with the University of Portsmouth and its undergraduate students.
Speakers from the different services delivered information about older people’s mental health, social prescribing and surgery signposting. The lecture also included information about the National Lottery’s Community funded project, Close Encounters, which is delivered in partnership with South Central Ambulance Service and the University to help reduce loneliness amongst older people.
This is an excellent example of partnership working, which will benefit both the students and their future patients. Students will now return to their respective clinical placements with a greater awareness of the importance of good mental health in older adults and the benefits of social prescribing in relation to this patient demographic.
From left: Tracey Brickell, deputy course and placement lead at the University of Portsmouth, Gosport Voluntary Action project manager Angela Gill, Alex Massey from Age UK Portsmouth and Dr Aileen Murray-Gane, nurse consultant for older persons’ mental health at Gosport War Memorial Hospital
This initiative for BSc Paramedic Science students was planned and delivered in partnership with Tracey Brickell, deputy course and placement lead at the University. Tracey said: “This is an excellent example of partnership working, which will benefit both the students and their future patients. Students will now return to their respective clinical placements with a greater awareness of the importance of good mental health in older adults and the benefits of social prescribing in relation to this patient demographic.”