The future generation of possible NHS and construction workers were given an exclusive peek into the new Women and Children's Building at the Countess of Chester Hospital last week, as the construction continues to take shape.
Twenty-three Year 10 students from a range of local schools in the area joined the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust for a week of work experience.
It saw them gain invaluable insights into the world of healthcare, including a unique and rare chance to watch the construction process of a new NHS building.
Lewis Bills, from Helsby High School; Lauren Trinder from Wirral Grammar School for Girls; Leo Cooper from Altrincham Grammar School for Boys; Charles Bayliss-Hand from Bishops Blue Coat; Scarlett Perry from Tarporley High School.
The new building – which is currently under construction and is scheduled to be open to the public in summer 2025 – will provide greater opportunities for integrated family care within a modern building, enhancing patient and families experience.
The services that will move across into the new building include outpatient and inpatient capacity for maternity and children’s services, and a bespoke unit for women’s gynaecology.
As well as their exclusive site tour of the multi-storey construction, the students also took part in five clinical and non-clinical work placements and attended several workshops, demonstrations and presentations about different NHS careers.
Unique work experience
Their time spent at the Trust was an ideal opportunity to gain an insight into the 350 different types of careers available in the NHS and the routes in, to inspire the future workforce.
Year 10 students take a tour of the under-construction Women and Children's Building at the Countess of Chester Hospital.
Molly Whelan, vocational development manager at the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: "We were thrilled to welcome local students and offer them this unique work experience.
"Not only will they gain practical knowledge and skills from their time with us, but they also witnessed firsthand the exciting advancements in our Women and Children’s services as the building fit for the future goes up before their very eyes.
"We hope the work experience week inspired them to consider a future in these essential careers."
Students on work experience were from local schools Blacon High School, Queens Park High School, Chester Catholic High School, Upton-by-Chester High School, Ellesmere Port Catholic High School, Elfed High School, Tarporley High School, West Kirby Grammar School, Neston High School, Abbey Gate College, The Bishops Blue Coat, Wirral Grammar School for Girls, Calday Grange Grammar School, Helsby High School and Altrincham Grammar School for Boys.
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