HOSPITAL staff have been celebrating their graduation following a two-year foundation degree in health and social care.

The 11 staff from the East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust have worked full-time while studying at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan).

They have become Assistant Practitioners in Health and Social Care which qualifies them to support doctors, nurses and therapists, and improves the skilled care given to patients.

All of the graduates received help from colleagues who provided guidance for their learning and professional development.

The staff began their studies in January 2013 and completed the foundation degree in January this year, with the graduation ceremony just having taken place.

As well as Susan, the other newly qualified assistant practitioners, are: Stephen Baldwin from the integrated therapies team at Clitheroe Community Hospital; Janet Drinkwater who works on ward 15 at Burnley General Hospital; Gail Ellis from the community nursing team; Stacey Fairley who works in integrated therapies; Andrew Howe from the outpatients clinic at Royal Blackburn Hospital; Vanessa Ibbotson from vascular theatres, Burnley General Hospital; Leanne Meakin from occupational health at Royal Blackburn Hospital; Hayley Morris from integrated therapies; Alex Sims from theatres, Royal Blackburn Hospital; and Kath Smith who works for the trauma team at Royal Blackburn Hospital.

Kevin McGee, of East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “On behalf of the Trust I congratulate each of the new assistant practitioners on their well-deserved degrees.”