One-Stop-Shop On Thursday 20th July the Primary Care Academy will be attending a one-stop-shop event for everything you need to take the next step in a career in Health & Social Care. If you are interested in kick-starting your career in Primary Care... Register for our Health and Social recruitment event – Book here: http://bit.ly/3J0gLHQ We will be advertising various Administration and Healthcare positions available across Heywood, Rochdale and Middleton. As well as showcasing our Pre Employment Support offer which includes Work Experience Placements, Confidence Building and other dedicated support to help you on your Primary Care Career journey.

Last Week, Joe Hickman started his administration position at Littleborough Group Practice. I asked Joe to keep a diary of his first week. This is what he had to say... PS, Welcome to the RHA Family, Joe! My First Week on Reception at a GP Practice Introduction Stepping into a new role can be both exciting and nerve-wracking, especially when it involves working at the heart of a bustling GP practice. As I embarked on my journey as a receptionist, I eagerly anticipated the challenges and rewards that awaited me. Join me as I recount the experiences, insights, and growth I encountered during my first week working on reception at a GP practice. Day 1: A Warm Welcome Walking through the doors on my first day, I was greeted by friendly faces and warm smiles from both staff and patients alike. The reception area buzzed with activity, with phone calls, appointment bookings, and paperwork filling the air. The team wasted no time in making me feel at ease, providing guidance on the essential tasks and familiarising me with the practice's systems. Day 2: Multitasking Mastery As the week progressed, I quickly realised that multitasking was a fundamental skill for a receptionist. Juggling phone calls, checking in patients, scheduling appointments, and updating records simultaneously required focus and organisation. Each interaction provided an opportunity to assist patients with empathy and professionalism, understanding their concerns and offering reassurance. Day 3: The Power of Patience It became apparent that patience was an invaluable trait in this role. Dealing with individuals of varying moods, complaints, anxieties, and urgent needs demanded the ability to remain calm and composed. Even during busy periods, maintaining a friendly and approachable demeanour was crucial, ensuring patients felt heard and valued. Day 4: Teamwork and Collaboration Working on reception reinforced the significance of teamwork within a healthcare environment. Collaborating closely with doctors, nurses, and other administrative staff to relay messages and requests highlighted the interconnectedness of the practice. Communicating test results or medical advice from healthcare providers to patients, assisting with administrative tasks and the whole host of other activities means that effective communication, shared responsibilities, and seamless coordination were essential for smooth operations and quality patient care. Day 5: Empathy in Action The final day of my first week presented an opportunity to witness the true impact of empathy. Patients, often vulnerable and seeking comfort, shared their stories and concerns. By actively listening and responding with empathy, I could provide the support they needed, creating a safe space within the confines of the reception area. Reflection and Future Growth My first week as a receptionist at a GP practice was an eye-opening experience. It allowed me to witness first-hand the dedication and commitment of the healthcare professionals who work tirelessly to meet the needs of their patients. The role reinforced the importance of strong communication skills, adaptability, and the ability to remain calm under pressure. Moving forward, I aspire to continue developing my knowledge of medical terminology, practice protocols, and administrative systems. I aim to build stronger relationships with patients, striving to provide them with a positive and supportive experience during their visits. Conclusion Working on reception a has been an enlightening and rewarding journey so far. Each day brings new challenges and opportunities for growth, reminding me of the vital role receptionists play in the healthcare system. I look forward to the weeks and months ahead, as I continue to learn, contribute, and make a difference in the lives of patients.

Being There was founded in 1982 by people with cancer for those with concerns about the disease. Since then the charity has grown to offer new services to the people of Greater Manchester living with or affected by cancer and other life-limiting illness such as strokes, heart and respiratory diseases. Being There has a network of trained volunteers who give emotional support and practical help which may be one-to-one at home, online or over the telephone. Services are tailored to each individual or family, but they can include: Listening and befriending: talking through difficulties and concerns Respite sitting, allowing carers time to themselves Practical help such as taking people shopping Driving and support for a hospital appointment or treatment Social activities, days out, coffee mornings, relaxation sessions Group support Information about local services and support networks All support services are currently provided free of charge, although there is a suggested minimum donation of £5 towards hospital transport. For more info, visit Being There | life limiting illness support

The NHS is turning 75 on 5th July 2023! To celebrate the NHS and its staff, we are holding a bake sale in the RHA head office with delicious sweet treats! We would love to hear how you're celebrating this week, leave a comment below and let us know 😁 Happy Birthday to our NHS! Thank you for everything you do!

We are working in partnership with Rochdale Training to deliver sector-based work academies across Rochdale. Please register and join us on our information day to find out more: Information Session: Wednesday 26th July (09:30 -12:00) (please confirm attendance via email.) Start Date with Rochdale Training: Tuesday 1st August (09:30-14:30), (3 days per week over 4 weeks) 2-Week Work Placement: Early September, (5 Days per week over 2 weeks) APPLY NOW! Contact our recruitment team on 01706 631417 or recruitment@rochdaletraining.co.uk For more information, call 01706 631417 Click here for information and to register

Ready to see all our GM GP Colleagues at the Greater Manchester City Wide Practice Forum today, at the Sheridan… We will be talking about our programmes to support local ‘grow your own’ recruitment and our fantastic pre-employment support!

Today at Middleton Arena - Health and Social Care Recruitment Event 10 am - 3 pm. Come and visit our Stalls!

Thank you to all that attended last nights HMR GP Education Event on Oncology at the Norton Grange Hotel. Keep your eyes posted on our future events by heading to our training calendar (click above on Primary Care Academy-Training).

On the 10th of July 2023, we welcomed Lee, to the Primary Care Academy Team. Lee is currently on the 12-week Prince's Trust Programme, at Spotland Community Centre (Rochdale), working on his confidence, teamwork and working life skills. As part of the Prince's Trust programme, Lee has completed a 2-week work experience placement in the Primary Care Academy Team. Lee has been working with Meg (GM Recruitment Lead) and Ruth (GM Pre Employment Lead) to develop, plan and design an exciting but informative newsletter for the PCA Team. Lee has also attended various Project meetings, Recruitment events and more. We asked Lee a few questions about his time with us, here is what he had to say! : What have you learnt during your 2 weeks with the Primary Care Academy? I have learnt how to develop research and planning skills by creating templates, designing a mood board and a newsletter. I have learnt to evaluate my feedback by making a feedback form and taking constructive criticism. What would you say to Young People considering doing work experience with us or anyone else? Honestly, try it to see if you enjoy it! You are trying something new, which may result in a rewarding job with great rates and help start your career. What are your plans after your time at Primary Care Academy, and how will you use what you have learnt to achieve your goals? My plans after work experience are looking for employment and also pursuing an opportunity to go to university and explore different subjects. I will use what I have learnt to achieve my goals by setting deadlines to get assignments completed while focusing on my daily life. If you could use 3 words to describe your time with us what would you choose? o Interesting o Collaborative o Supportive We would like to wish Lee all the best in his future, we just know, whatever he does, he will be amazing! We are looking forward to welcoming our next Prince's Trust Work Experience Participant in the near future. *This blog post has been shared with Lee’s permission.

Every 10 seconds, @Samaritans responds to a call for help. We’re proud to share their awareness-raising campaign #TalkToUs, to remind people that Samaritans are there 24/7 for anyone who needs someone to listen 💚 Contact Us | Samaritans

We’re proud to share @samaritanscharity awareness-raising campaign #TalkToUs this July, to remind people that Samaritans are there for anyone struggling to cope, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year 💚 Contact Us | Samaritans

We've collaborated with The Juice Academy to create an exciting new Content Creator Apprenticeship role. As well as creating and supporting the PCA social media content, you'll receive fantastic apprenticeship training and support from the Juice Academy. Rates of pay are in line with the National Living Wage and you'll be working in Rochdale Town Centre which has great public transport links Apply directly on the Juice Academy website: Enrola