SCPHN students key to improving outcomes across the public health agenda

Over 150 guests attended including students from all four SCPHN pathways (health visiting, school nursing, occupational health and sexual health nursing) along with NHS Trust partners, practice teachers and mentors.

 

Keynote speaker Pauline Watts, Professional Officer for Health Visiting at the Department of Health, talked to the students about public health nursing and of celebrating the SCPHN journey.

 

Roger Ingham, Professor of Health and Community Psychology at the University of Southampton, also spoke to guests about lessons learned and future challenges presented by changing sexual cultures.

 

Posters were presented by students from both the BSc (Hons) and postgraduate diploma on a range of subjects including postnatal depression screening for fathers and alcohol interventions for vulnerable young people.

 

Pauline Watts commented at the conference: “The public health agenda is incredibly important as we face so many health and wellbeing challenges.

 

“The students on this programme are absolutely vital to reducing these health irregularities and improving health and wellbeing across the life course. They have all demonstrated outstanding academic and clinical skills, working to improve individual, community and population outcomes.

 

“The academic rigour and teaching from practice teachers and mentors has prepared these students well for a challenging career ahead. I am extremely proud to see this workforce filled with such a desire to make a difference.”

 

Students Soo Smith and Naomi Payne, who presented at the conference, both said it was an honour to represent their project team and an outstanding opportunity to showcase their work. Both students, like many others on the course, begin their careers as professional SCPHNs on Monday.

 

Awards were also presented during the day including Naomi Payne, who was awarded a prize for most outstanding student; and best enhanced learning experience by a practice teacher or mentor, voted for by students, was awarded to Marion Cribb.

 

Presentations were also made to secondees Mel Simmons, Sue Wells, Fiona Dodds and Tinu Okubadejo for their contribution to the programme.

 

Jane March-McDonald, Deputy Programme Lead, said: “This conference is a fitting end to a year of dedication and hard work for those completing the programme and beginning new careers. Thanks must also go to Stephanie Baker, (Events and Relationships Senior Administrator Officer) who did a great job in supporting me in organising this event”