A Colchester Hospital manager’s project has been picked up by every breast screening team across the country
When Gemma Longhurst had to give up her clinical role as a Healthcare assistant on a surgical ward, due to illness, she dreaded the thought of a full-time desk job.
But taking on an apprenticeship saw her develop a new training guide that was so successful it’s been picked up by NHS England to share with every breast screening team in the country.
She said: “It is just crazy to think that I didn’t want to be behind a desk, but now this might be the type of role I was destined to always do.”
Gemma was diagnosed with stage four Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in her spine in 2023. When she returned to work as deputy office manager she signed up for the Level 2 Business administration apprenticeship for the challenge.
Gemma Longhurst
She was struggling with an assignment where she needed to create something that related to her work.
Gemma said: “Then real life happened. An error was made, and it turned into a bigger problem – the type that involves contacting the national team to clear things up.”
Reflecting on the incident she realised that an office training manual was needed and put one together for staff on her team.
Later, at a virtual Bi-Annual National Breast Screening meeting, her manager encouraged Gemma to mention her training guide.
She said: “The chat exploded with everyone asking for a copy. After the meeting the NHS England team reached out and asked for a copy to share with every team in the country. They then said they would like to use it for their own induction book as they felt it shared good practice.”
Gemma, said the national attention has been surreal but it has built her confidence and she would consider doing another course after her apprenticeship.
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