An ESNEFT colleague whose training guide is now used by breast screening teams across the UK has received national recognition.
Gemma Longhurst won the Skills For Health Our Health Heroes Apprentice of the Year award, chosen from 300 nominees, at the Queen Elizabeth Centre in London.
After being diagnosed with Stage 4 Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Gemma had to give up her role as a healthcare assistant and move into an office-based position.
She signed up for a Level 3 Business Administration apprenticeship provided by ESNEFT – being able to complete her qualification entirely through the Trust – and found staff were using outdated training materials.
So, she created a new training guide to improve consistency, confidence and patient care.
The guide was adopted by the East of England Breast Screening Service and shared nationally as an example of best practice. It is now informing induction materials used by breast screening offices across the UK.
Gemma Longhurst (centre) with managing director of the SFJ (Skills for Health, Skills for Justice) awards David Higham and GP and TV presenter Dawn Harper.
Gemma, who achieved a distinction, said: “I am quite overwhelmed and have a bit of imposter syndrome.
“The support I received from my own team, my tutor Kevin James and the Talent for Care team was second-to-none. I wouldn’t have achieved any of this without them.
“I have always hated the thought of an office job as everything I have ever done has been manual work, but my illness changed all that.”
Talent for Care apprenticeship facilitator Bea Mancinelli, said: “It’s a fantastic honour and Gemma should be proud.
“Gemma’s achievements show the power of apprenticeships to drive improvement. We have also really noticed her confidence grow throughout this time.”
Gemma’s apprenticeship assessor/coach, Kevin James said: “The fact Gemma took on an apprenticeship and dived into a new role with everything she had to deal with is a credit to her – I am very proud of her.
“I feel she uses adversity as a strength and does not allow setbacks to define her.
“To see learners like Gemma putting her learning into practice straight away, completing her apprenticeship with a distinction grade, and then achieve recognition at a national level as well, is fantastic and is what makes my role so rewarding.”
The Health for Heroes Apprentice of the Year award is one of several awards presented each year by not-for-profit organisation, Skills for Health.
Gemma has now been accepted onto the Level 6 Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship.
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