Public health placements with Redbridge Council

Redbridge is one of the first councils nationwide to work in partnership with a university to offer nursing placements within its public health service.

Third year UEL students Millicent Boakyewah and Cristina Domingos said,

The placement was extremely valuable with so many opportunities to develop skills, and knowledge that will benefit our management placements in hospital. We are more equipped to educate patients regarding health, diet, vaccinations and how a patient’s wellbeing and the environment affects their health. Many thanks to Public Health Consultants Ian Diley and Sue Matthews, and Director of Public Health, Gladys Xavier, for facilitating this experience."

Ian Diley, Public Health Consultant for Redbridge said, "We have been delighted to arrange this educational placement scheme. This will be an ongoing opportunity for student nurses to experience work within a council environment, and to learn more about what we can all do as individuals and communities to stay healthy."

The students spent six weeks based in the Council’s public health team whilst working with other teams such as environmental health and local substance misuse services.

UEL Senior Lecturer, Practice Learning, Kim O’Connor said, "This is the first collaboration between UEL Nursing Team and Redbridge Council for BSc Adult Nursing Programme Placement. It was a pleasure to offer BSc Nursing students Cristiana Domingos and Millicent Boakyewah the opportunity to attend this new placement and bring back all the learning to share with their colleagues from the March 2021 cohort.

"The placement offered a great insight into other areas and specialties available for registered nurses once they complete their BSc Adult Nursing at UEL. We look forward to offering other students this amazing opportunity."