Plympton Academy students visit St Luke's Hospice

Plympton Academy pupils studying Health and Social Care spent the day
at St Luke’s Hospice recently.

The visit was organised to enhance their understanding of health and social care settings. The students are currently studying units within the BTEC Level 3 course which incorporates the most effective ways of looking after individuals, how health and social care organisations embed certain legislations and procedures, specific job roles and responsibilities and diagnosis and treatment of physiological disorders.

“This is the second time we have visited St Luke’s and they planned this whole day around the course curriculum and delivered an exciting and enriching day for everyone,” said Plympton Academy Health and Social Care teacher, Danni Johns.

When they arrived the students were shown around the facilities at Turnchapel, including the three wards, family rooms and quiet room, the Harbour.

The students also met different team members, from specialist nurses, community specialists, crisis team leaders and occupational therapists. They also learnt how the hospice doesn’t just care for people on site. Last year they looked after 8, 821 patients in their homes and 4,856 on the wards in Derriford Hospital.

“It was enlightening to see how person centred the hospice is,” said pupil Charlotte Simmons-Enefer. “It was extremely helpful to talk to a range of healthcare professionals about their past workplaces and experiences.”

The students also had the chance to practice some life skills such as CPR.

“The hospice was a warm environment to be in, everyone was cheery and happy which also made the environment happy and lovely to be in,” said student, Kamilla Kaczor. “It was a great experience to have and I have taken a lot from it. It’s changed my entire perspective on what a hospice is and what they do. The team make it as homely as they can for the patients.”