UWL graduate wins ‘Our Health Heroes Apprentice of the Year’ accolade

Joe Maslen holding award at the Our Health Heroes Apprentice of the Year awards with two others.

UWL graduate wins ‘Our Health Heroes Apprentice of the Year’ accolade

13 July 2023

Joe Maslen, who graduated from UWL’s College of Nursing, Midwifery and Healthcare (CNMH) in 2022 with a Distinction in his Higher Apprenticeship, FdSc Healthcare Practice: Assistant Practitioner course, has won Skills for Health’s ‘Our Health Heroes Apprentice of the Year’ Gold Award.

Joe Maslen holding award at the Our Health Heroes Apprentice of the Year awards

Skills for Health is a not-for-profit organisation committed to the development of an improved and sustainable healthcare workforce across the UK. The Apprentice of the Year Award shines a light on individuals who have not only gone above and beyond at their organisation, but act as advocates for apprenticeships as a route to healthcare careers, in both clinical and operational roles.

Joe is a Radiotherapy Assistant Practitioner for the Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust where he has created a pilot infection control project that reduced both virus and bacterial levels passively in his department, that is now being further extended to Oncology wards. He also assisted in a major quality improvement project, working with a consultant oncologist and clinical psychologists to collect data on primary brain tumour patients.

Joe said:

I hope that my story inspires others to push to the limits of what’s possible within their practice and study. I believe innovation and quality improvement are key to the continued evolution and future of healthcare. I am grateful to have been supported so well by UWL throughout my two years as an apprentice.”

Fiona Edwards, Deputy Dean (London) of CNMH, said:

We are extremely proud of Joe's achievements. His story highlights the significant and positive impact of apprenticeship courses for healthcare workers and the patients and families they care for. The importance of apprenticeship courses in supporting the expansion of the NHS workforce has been highlighted with the recent launch of the Government’s NHS Long Term Workforce Plan.”

Sarah Gorton, Head of Health at UNISON who sponsored the award, said:

These awards shine a light on outstanding individuals whose work helps keep quality patient care at the core of the NHS. The hard work, dedication and expertise of health staff deserves to be recognised.”