NHS Volunteer Experience

For a bit of context I'm a new year 12 student and am a volunteer in the emergency department at my local hospital. For the most part I've really enjoyed it, the patient interaction and knowing I'm supporting the NHS and the people who I've worked with. I've been a patient at this very hospital and that's what got me into the idea of a clinical career. But I keep seeing so many failings and things what aren't done properly and it's slightly putting me off the idea of a healthcare career and makes me really feel for the human side of healthcare, how the patients feel and the conditions there in. I know the NHS is not in a great place but here's some of the things I've seen: Elderly dementia patients being left confused and wondering round the department, Bodily fluids not being cleaned properly. Trust protocol not being followed as it should for health and safety. I still absolutely love it but I'm not as passionate as what I used to be. I have a good relationship with the volunteers coordinator but I don't know how to approach her about it. I also work alongside two other volunteers who are retired NHS staff which are very experienced. What can I do as I don't want to loose my future career goals or be affected personally thinking about the patients welfare in my own time.

Are you looking at a specific healthcare career?
I think that your volunteering is a bit of a reality check as to what you are getting yourself into. That being said you have only volunteered in a single A&E department so there are plenty of other clinical roles elsewhere in the NHS if that is where you want to work.
There will be procedures to report this kind of stuff, so it may be worth going down that avenue if you are really concerned about the quality of patient care being given.

If you are worried about suffering repercussions if you were to report it, you could do this anonymously. I think speaking to people you trust about your concerns and how it's making you rethink would be a really good option. Not all hospitals will be like that but I'm sure, but unfortunately too many are. There is also the option you could go into private healthcare or become a carer. Maybe speak to your careers advisors at your school about what to do or other options to consider.
Hope this helps!
Vee (kingston rep)

Firstly thanks for your response, and right know I’m not exactly sure what I want to do but I know I want a job with direct patient contact, I’ve already flagged my findings with the volunteers coordinator and she has on her end however nothing has yet been done

I am applying for paramedic science this year so I may be able to answer questions about that if you are interested (I am also a community first aider with St John Ambulance as well)

Sounds great! If you don’t mind me asking what’s your work with St John’s Ambulance like and how did you get involved?

Because you are under 18, you would have to enter through cadets which is not the way I did it because I was doing a different university course last year.
I joined after joining a university first aid society (not my own university's because they didn't have one at the time) and then we would go to unit meetings after. I submitted an application in March this year, had an interview and then did the CFA training in May. It is a volunteering position, and I have only done one event so far but the people I have met through it have been absolutely lovely and they have an absolute wealth of information that they can share. It is basically providing first aid cover at events (round where I am it tends to be village fetes and other small community events, but it can be bigger things like football matches and the London Marathon!), so you just treat any patients that need you.

That sounds lovely, I wish you all the best!