A Week That Built My Confidence: My Healthwatch Placement

My time with Healthwatch was unexpected but truly amazing. My tutor helped arrange two work placements for our Health and Social Care course. Two other people in my course took the opportunity, but one backed out, and I quickly stepped in. I wasn’t told much beforehand—only that I would be starting the following Monday. At the time, I didn’t even know what Healthwatch was or what I would be doing.

I was extremely nervous because this was my first work placement. However, everyone was very friendly and welcoming. We began with an introduction where they explained who they were, what Healthwatch does, and what an Enter and View visit involves. This was very helpful, as I had little knowledge of Healthwatch before starting. They then explained the tasks for the day. We visited a GP surgery where we asked patients waiting for their appointments to complete a survey about their experiences and observed the practice, noting both positive and negative aspects. Because I was still nervous, I focused on the observations rather than approaching people directly. Overall, the first day went really well, and the staff were kind, supportive, and helpful.

The second day was much more eventful. I felt more confident because I knew what to expect. We travelled to a hospital, where many people were waiting for their appointments. This time, I was able to complete surveys as well as observe the hospital environment. After returning from the visit, I helped type up the observation notes into a Word document. This day felt more productive, as I was able to take on more tasks than the day before.

By the third day, I was no longer nervous because I had gained experience and confidence. We travelled to a pop-up event at Abbey Leisure Centre. I enjoyed this experience and found it interesting to speak to people in a non-healthcare setting. By this point, I felt much more relaxed and confident in my role. On the fourth day, I worked from home. I attended a catch-up Zoom meeting and spent time writing my blog. I received calls throughout the day to check on my progress. This was a very relaxed day, as I was able to stay at home while still completing my tasks.

On the fifth and final day, we returned to the same GP surgery I visited on the first day because we still needed more surveys. After completing a few more surveys, we returned to the office, where I finished writing my blog. I then discussed what I liked and didn’t like about my placement, although I honestly enjoyed everything.

Overall, I am very happy that I took this opportunity with Healthwatch. Everyone was kind, friendly, and supportive, and they took the time to explain everything clearly and make me feel included. During my placement, I developed my communication and listening skills, gained confidence speaking to members of the public, and learned more about how Healthwatch helps improve local health and social care services. It was a valuable experience that I will remember and benefit from in the future.