I am the Project Manager for the Hub’s work on HEE‘s Place-Based Placement Pilot. My role involves working with the Hub’s Associate Director of Workforce Development (Jason Brooke), other members of the Hub, HEIs, and the primary, community and social care sectors to bring about effective change in non-medical placements, in line with the NHS long-term plan.

I’ve over ten years NHS experience varying from Service Desk Analyst, Information Governance Officer, Business Intelligence Analyst, Systems Analyst, and many years ago, as a HCA. My experience spans IT, sales, healthcare and entrepreneurial endeavours, like property development. I also have a keen interest in social consciousness with a focus on homelessness and improving lives, hence my pursuance of a PHD in said topic.

These challenging times call for a different way, and the placement landscape is also challenged and seeks a new approach — a placed-based, integrated approach, with transformational change, which I am keen to explore.

I am the Education Facilitator for BNSSG Training Hub. I have held previous roles as a senior university lecturer and as a paramedic working across both the frontline and as part of a telephone triage clinical hub.

My role within the Training Hub is to support the growth of placements for nurses and AHP’s across primary care, alongside supporting the developing the training hub offer across BNSSG. I enjoy working with people and enabling learning using diverse approaches, and believe that education is key to effective healthcare.

Away from work I enjoy riding anything with two wheels, kayaking, and walking my dog​

For a year, I was a support worker for the National Autistic Society, and I’ve also volunteered for several Bristol-based charities (including Off The Record, Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, and Scope). I’ve also had an active role on boards for youth-service and voluntary-sector groups.

I’m most enthusiastic about supporting the team, about helping them make the most of their job roles, but I’m also eager to get stuck in with the Training Hub’s various meetings, and to take up opportunities in health and social care, generally. I’m especially interested in public health, patient involvement/feedback, voluntary work in the NHS, social justice, and mental health.

When I’m not at work, I enjoy creating things and organising social groups/getting people together.

I’m BNSSG Training Hub’s Marketing & Events Officer, having previously been its Administrative & IT Support. It’s certainly been an interesting ride thus far – I’d never worked in health or social care before, so catching up with the various acronyms that fly around (‘ANPs’, ‘STPs’, and ‘AHPs’, to name a few) was sure something. Prior to having joined the Hub, I’m most proud of having been a volunteer in Bath Cats & Dogs Home’s fundraising office and a room guide at the American Museum in Britain.

Outside of work, I currently spend time reading about the Old West and working on a D&D campaign.

I have been working with the Training Hub since 2018, engaging with schools and colleges to promote health- and social-care careers amongst young people. My background includes having worked as a GP in Bristol for 5 years, in addition to having been a clinical lead in mental health for BNSSG CCG. I’m intrigued by what makes people and communities healthy and resilient, as well as interested in promoting a more equitable society.

Outside of work, I enjoy scenic walks, cycling, and learning about new cultures and languages. I have been a scout leader in the past and am always up for an adventure!

Dr. Sarah Ballisat is our Associate Director of Education & Training.

I’m the Hub’s Programme Manager. I first started working in the NHS many years ago, initially in the ambulance service, but over the past twenty years I’ve been in a variety of NHS management roles across the South West. My current role, within the Training Hub, is to support and enable the delivery of our remit amongst the primary care workforce.

Away from work, most of my time is spent walking the countryside on offer all around Bristol.

I am the Training Hub’s Clinical Lead, as well as a Postgraduate Associate Dean at the Severn Deanery, a nationally-elected Royal College of GPs council member, and a GP in Bristol — I’ve been a GP for over 20 years, in a variety of roles and settings, having been involved in medical education throughout my career.

My Training Hub and Associate Dean roles involve working on current key issues around training and workforce planning. I believe that in order to face the current challenges around workload and recruitment, we need to look at new ways of working with other healthcare professionals and skill sharing, whilst maintaining the fundamentals of continuity and holistic family practice. The Hub has provided a unique opportunity to work with colleagues across the primary, community, social, and voluntary care sectors.

When not working, I’m kept busy by my four children and our four pets!