Healthcare students and trainee doctors at the West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (WSFT), are benefitting from award-winning education, hands-on learning, and exceptional support that prepares them for successful careers in the NHS.
From young people interested in learning more about careers in healthcare, to resident doctors and trainees, the Trust has a wide range of programmes available and is committed to providing a high standard of education and development to the current and future NHS workforce.
Award winning T Level programme
The Trust’s T Level programme recently won the regional Gatsby T Level Employer of the Year at the National Apprenticeship and Skills Awards, organised by the Department for Education.
Working in partnership with Eastern Education Group (EEG), WSFT provides students with real-world clinical experience.
Diane Last, head of clinical education at the Trust, praised the collaborative approach behind winning the award, saying: “This is a great achievement, and the combined effort with other departments and our partnership with EEG represents the way we can all work together to achieve excellence.”
Keiran Fowler, group head of faculty for health and applied science EEG, added: “Our T Level health students gain invaluable, hands-on experience through their placements at West Suffolk Hospital, where they have the chance to apply their classroom learning in real clinical environments. This experience not only strengthens their skills and confidence but also inspires many to pursue rewarding careers within the NHS and the wider healthcare sector.”
The programme has grown from eight to 18 students per year and includes nursing and now therapy students. One student who benefitted is Lily Tokeley, who has now joined the Trust as an occupational therapy apprentice following her placement last year. Discussing her experience, Lily said: “It’s a great choice for anyone who learns best through hands-on experience. I found that I was able to apply the knowledge I gained during my T Level course and see it come to life in a real hospital setting.
“The placement was my favourite part of the course, and it’s a wonderful feeling to be back at the West Suffolk, continuing to build on my education and skills.”
University of Cambridge Teaching Partner status
Continuing its collaboration with the University of Cambridge, the Trust has maintained Teaching Partner status by the School of Clinical Medicine through the provision of clinical placements and teaching for medical students at the West Suffolk Hospital.
It specifically supports the Cambridge Graduate Course in Medicine (CGCM) – an accelerated four-year programme for medical students. Established in 2002, the course allows students who have graduated university to complete the usual six-year course in just four years. It facilitates students completing their placements outside of regular term time and supports them with enhanced educational practices. These include clinical fellows, pastoral care, and additional resources such as ‘professional patients’ - who act as real patients giving resident doctors a risk-free opportunity to apply their practise.
Chris Kassam, a medical education fellow at the Trust, who joined the CGCM in 2014 after studying English Literature and Philosophy, said: “I had worked as a healthcare assistant for several years before joining the course, so was familiar with hospital environments, but nonetheless was nervous about the amount of scientific knowledge I would need to digest and understand in a short period of time.
“My clinical placements, mostly at the West Suffolk Hospital, were diverse and interesting, and offered a great grounding in the basics of core specialties. Since graduating I have worked between Addenbrooke’s Hospital and WSFT, completing the Cambridge Foundation Programme and internal medicine training.
“This year I am education fellow at WSFT, mostly teaching current students – it has been a steep learning curve for me but really rewarding to give back to the course. I would highly recommend it to graduates in any field with a high level of motivation and self-organisation.”
High ranking in GMC national training survey
Further cementing its reputation, the Trust ranked first for overall satisfaction across all acute NHS Trusts in the East of England for the third year in a row, according to the 2025 General Medical Council (GMC) national training survey.
The survey asks doctors in training about their learning and workplace experiences, including wellbeing and workload, quality of support for trainers and trainees, and the workplace environment. The Trust scored highly in areas such as induction, clinical and educational supervision and a supportive environment.
Director of medical education and consultant anaesthetist at WSFT Dr Kaushik Bhowmick said: “This incredible achievement reflects the hard work and commitment of colleagues who ensure resident doctors receive the very best experience. While there’s always more we can do to keep improving, it’s clear that we continue to set the standard as an outstanding place for postgraduate training.”
The Trust remains committed to nurturing the next generation of healthcare professionals and will continue developing its education and training programmes to meet the evolving needs of the NHS workforce.