First dietetic apprentices at ESNEFT complete master’s degrees

Colleagues Hannah Brigden and Nakirtha (Nikki) Ramaswamy have become the first dietetic apprentices within ESNEFT to complete their master’s degrees.

The duo, who work at Ipswich Hospital, combined online learning with placements within the Trust to complete the two-year dietetics and leadership course at Coventry University.

Hannah said: “I would recommend an apprenticeship to anyone. They give you a head start because you are already in the department and know a lot of the processes at the place you work.

“It is daunting at first, but we received a lot of support from the university, while Janet (Bayliss) in the library at Ipswich was really helpful.

“Being able to study alongside each other and compare notes really helped too.”

Nikki said: “The placement we had at Ipswich in our first year helped a lot. You learn so much more in practice.

“And, as apprentices, if there was something we did not understand we could always ask a dietitian.

“We learned a lot from working in paediatrics, oncology and diabetes in the first year, while in the second year we worked in the community which was really beneficial.”

Hannah and Nikki’s degrees will allow them to see patients with more complex needs and branch out into a wider range of clinical specialities.

Hannah said: “Dietetics is vast and you get to help a range of different people and make a difference. Every day is different.”

Nikki said: “Nutrition has a massive impact on many health conditions. Enteral (tube feeding) nutrition, for example, can be key for recovery in many areas.

“You see a massive difference when you give people the advice they need and they make a recovery, particularly in oncology. I like the satisfaction that brings.”

Catherine Dyson, Ipswich Hospital and east Suffolk community professional lead for dietetics, said: “This is an exciting new way of training dietitians which will help with our recruitment and retention and enable us to grow our own.

“Everyone in the department has worked together to support Hannah and Nikki and we look forward to continuing that as they move into qualified roles.

“We hope to continue to support this apprenticeship route for dietitians, with further opportunities for staff in the near future.”

Penny Cason, director of allied health professionals (AHPs) at ESNEFT, said: “I am delighted for Hannah and Nikki on their incredible achievement.

“This is a significant milestone, not just for them, but for dietetics services in ESNEFT and the broader Suffolk and north east Essex system.

“Their dedication and success reflect a bright future for dietetic apprenticeships and the impact they will have on the health and wellbeing of our communities.”