NHS placements for nursing, midwifery and health professions

You undertake placements as an integral part of your studies, leading to a professional award
A general practice nurse in her practice environment and with her mentor

Students enrolled on courses based in the School of Health Professions and School of Nursing and Midwifery undertake placements as an integral part of their studies which lead to a professional award.

University of Plymouth provides supporting information for students and placement areas through the Plymouth Online Practice Placement Information (POPPI) website.

Placement area for University of Plymouth students

The placement allocation area for health students at University of Plymouth covers a large geographical area from as far north as Gloucestershire and Wiltshire all the way down to Cornwall. Some courses place students in Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Dorset, Somerset, Devon and Cornwall, whereas other courses place in smaller geographic areas, e.g. Devon, Cornwall and Somerset, or specific Trusts. Details of all the placement areas can be found on the POPPI website.

All practice placements are secured by the University in collaboration with clinical colleagues and allocated according to individual students’ learning needs, previous experience and the capacity of the relevant Trust. This may include placements in the private, voluntary and independent sectors (PVI).

The model of allocation to specific geographical areas and placements differs across the schools and courses within the faculty. You will be provided with a range of experiences and opportunities that ensure you meet the learning outcomes and competencies required of your course.

Information about the National Health Service (NHS).

Professional requirements

For you to be eligible to apply for registration on completion, your course must meet the professional requirements in both theory and practice. For nursing and midwifery students this information can be found on the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) website. For allied health professions this information can be on the Health and Care Professions (HCPC) website.

Travel arrangements

You will be spending a great deal of your course time in placement and therefore away from the University campus. It is important that you investigate the travelling arrangements required to get to your placement area.

Reimbursement of placement expenses may be available from the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA). Please note the NHS BSA indicate that public transport should be used where ever possible and you must investigate the options that are available.

If you are likely to require your car for business use (e.g. when undertaking community practice) you will need to ensure you have adequate motor insurance in accordance with NHS BSA requirements.

Accommodation

You will have already received information about accommodation for your stay at University. You should start to investigate the accommodation you may need when undertaking your placements. This may take many forms, e.g. staying with friends, getting cheap advance rates for Travel Lodge, bed and breakfast, hospital accommodation where available, or staying with a family. Find out more about travel and accommodation at the Poppi website.

Reimbursement of accommodation expenses may be available from the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA)

Support in practice

When undertaking your practice support will be available to guide you through the experience. In practice you will be allocated a mentor or supervisor who will have overall responsibility for your learning whilst in placement. In addition academic support will be available through link lecturers, placement development teams and your personal tutor.

Contact details for placement development teams can be found on the POPPI website.

Occupational health

You are required to undertake occupational health clearance before attending practice. Your first appointment will be during induction week starting week commencing 16 September 2019 with further appointments over the following three months.

Uniforms

You will be provided with a uniform to use when undertaking practice. Fitting sessions for uniforms are included in induction week. Uniforms will be delivered before you first placement.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)

You are required to have a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service check at the start of the courses. Without this you will not be able to attend allocated practice placements.