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University students and staff deployed to COVID-19 frontline

01/05/2020

University of Wolverhampton staff and students are working on the frontline to help with the fight against COVID-19.

Over 320 third year Nursing and Midwifery students – representing over 90% of third year learners on courses being taught at the University’s Walsall Campus and City Campus in Wolverhampton - have opted in to deployment, having been working in NHS Trust hospitals across the Midlands region for most of the year on placements.

A further 187 second and third year students who started their courses in January 2018 will also be deployed to the frontline over the coming weeks.

In addition to this, 30 third year and 54 second year Paramedic students have applied directly to work with West Midlands Ambulance Service. A number of our first year paramedic students have also applied to work as vehicle preparation assistants to support WMAS during this emergency period.

Stefan Merrick, 26, a third year Paramedic student who lives in the West Midlands and is working for the West Midlands Ambulance Service, said: “Studying for a degree in Paramedic Science at the University has really helped me grow and learn both personally and professionally. Healthcare is always growing and changing at a fast pace and there are always new skills to be acquired.

"The course has not only shown me the importance of understanding the underlying knowledge of the profession, but also why it is significant to make sure that I’m evolving with my professional development and confidence in order that I can give my patients the best possible care. I am proud to work for such an amazing service and even more so at these unprecedented times.”

Professor Nazira Karodia, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Regional Engagement who is responsible for co-ordinating the University’s response to COVID-19, said:  “We have in excess of 600 students and staff currently working on the frontline, using the skills and practises they have learned on their courses in helping to combat the threat of the coronavirus.

“We are extremely proud that over 90% of our third year student nurses and midwives, along with the majority of our student paramedics, opted in or volunteered to keep working in order to boost staff numbers and help the NHS during these challenging times.

“In addition to this, we have Pharmacy students volunteering in our local community pharmacies as well as Physiotherapy and Biomedical students on the Health & Care Professionals Council (HCPC) temporary register. We also have students, staff members and professors either volunteering or working in advisory roles at New Cross Hospital.”

For more information contact the Corporate Communications Team 01902 322736/518647 or out of office hours on 07973 335112 or email: comms@wlv.ac.uk.

ENDS

 

For more information please contact the Corporate Communications Team.

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