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Work Placement Testimonials

Charlotte Ward - Sleep Science Apprenticeship

Photo of member of staff

Charlotte Ward
Sleep Department Manager

As part of our recruitment strategy for the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Leigh Infirmary, we felt that the Sleep Service would benefit from further clinical support.

A new Sleep Medicine Clinical Support role had already been established during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic when Senior Sleep Service staff were based at the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary. However, we became aware of a new qualification through the then Health Education England, and felt a Level 2 Sleep Science Apprenticeship would complement this existing role.

Since then, we have had two members of the team successfully complete the course and currently have two other members of the team expecting to complete their end point assessment in early Summer 2025.

The Level 2 Sleep Science Apprenticeship includes modules of anatomy and physiology, blood pressure monitoring and spot oxygen testing, which all complement routine appointments, and also include specialist modules on sleep diagnostics and spirometry.

As a standalone Sleep Department, we have worked collaboratively with colleagues in respiratory physiology who support sleep learners with respiratory testing. This has become an invaluable relationship in the growing of our Sleep and Respiratory Physiological Sciences sub-group and supporting a variety of learners in the Trust. This includes those from the Practitioner Training Programmes and Graduate Diploma in Respiratory Science, in addition to our Sleep Apprenticeships.

At times, it has been challenging to balance existing clinical activity commitments, but the course has given our staff additional knowledge and skills in supporting their role within the department.

It is likely our Level 2 graduates will progress onto further study, with our current two apprentices aiming to commence Level 4 Sleep Science and then the Level 6 Practitioner Training Programme in 2027. These courses will allow the service to “grow our own” Physiologists, aiming to future proof our service growth and develop staff who are committed to WWL and our Sleep Medicine Department.