Have your say on how health and social care can improve in Hampshire

People in Portsmouth and the surrounding areas are being invited to share their thoughts about healthcare and social work at an event next week (20 March).

The ‘Community Conversation’ is being hosted by the University of Portsmouth to ensure health and social care students are armed with the skills, knowledge, experiences, and values needed to meet people’s needs. 

Organisers also hope it will empower members of the public and stakeholders to have a say in designing impactful educational programs.

The University offers a variety of courses and training for the next generation of doctors, social workers, paramedics, dental nurses, mental health nurses, radiographers, biomedical scientists and pharmacists. 

It has excellent healthcare facilities including simulated wards, an operating theatre, a simulated pharmacy and facilities focused on health and social care. These allow students to learn both basic competencies and more complex management scenarios in a safe environment.

Portsmouth’s Pharmacy and Pharmacology courses are ranked number 3 in the UK in The Guardian University Guide, and in the top 20 for Health Professions and Nursing. Some courses are also endorsed by Skills for Care – an indicator of quality for learning and development in the adult social care sector.

Event coordinator Jenni Wessels, Lecturer from the University’s School of Dental, Health and Care Professions, said: “We are inviting organisations but also individuals and local stakeholders, so we can hear directly from those with lived experience of health and social services.  

“If you’ve got ideas or insights into what is needed to enhance education of social work and healthcare professionals, then we’d love to see you at the event. Your input is vital in shaping meaningful and effective education.”

Members of the public will be asked to consider the qualities and skills they would like to see in a social work or healthcare graduate as they leave university.

Placement providers will also be attending, including statutory organisations such as Portsmouth City Council, as well as third sector organisations such as Motiv8, an organisation which engages with young people and supports them in accessing better life chances.

Finally, organisers hope the event will encourage more people to sign up to the Portsmouth Social Work Inclusion Group (SWIG).

SWIG is a group of individuals who each have personal experience of involvement with Social Services on a number of issues, ranging from mental health, young people in care, disability and caring issues, to recovery from substance abuse. The group provides a mechanism that enables the University to give student social workers access to all this user experience.

Members are consulted and included in the planning and development of the curriculum. As a result, members of the user group not only speak to students, but also have representation on the panels which assess student work, and those that interview potential new students and staff.

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Anyone interested in attending the ‘Community Conversation’, taking place at the University’s Students' Union on Wednesday 20 March, can sign up here.

In 2019, Portsmouth was one of the first universities to develop a Civic Partnership Agreement with partners in the local community and region to promote inclusion and enrich economic, social and cultural life.

Its goal is for education and research knowledge and skills to benefit the Portsmouth Harbour region and surrounding areas.