Academy closes skills gap in healthcare

Guy’s and St Thomas’ Chairman, Sir Hugh Taylor will chair the National Skills Academy for Health, to improve the training and skills of support staff in the health sector.

The new initiative, which was officially launched by the Minister for Skills, Matthew Hancock MP at St Thomas’ Hospital on Thursday 12 September, will give employers a ‘national partner’ to help bridge the gap between employees, employers and training providers.

Support staff, such as porters, caterers and cleaners make up nearly a third of the nation’s healthcare workforce, which is why it is important for this group to have access to the very best in training. The academy’s role will bring benefits to both employees and their patients.

Guy’s and St Thomas’ apprentices, Joseph Banton, who is now an assistant team leader in the Rapid Response Team, and Tristan Tucker an apprentice in Pharmacy, spoke about their experiences at the launch event. During their apprenticeships they gained practical skills while achieving qualifications, training and earning a living.

Sir Hugh Taylor said: “Our support staff make a vital contribution to delivering the highest standards in treatment and care for patients. They work at the heart of the NHS and the many independent providers of healthcare. We have a duty to ensure their training needs are recognised, met and maintained."