Meet our interns at Healthwatch Tower Hamlets

Luke's story

How did you find out about the work placements at Healthwatch Tower Hamlets?

• I was placed with Healthwatch Tower Hamlets through a program called the Intern Group which allows students and recent graduates to pursue an internship in a variety of different cities around the world. I specified that I would like to work in a non-profit, which allowed my search and placement process to go in that direction. The Intern Group and I spoke about my goals and preferences and through those conversations they were able to connect me with the Healthwatch organizations and I proceeded with an interview there. After learning about the mission, goal, and work of Healthwatch, I knew that this would be the right work for me and I’m very happy to say it has been! 

What kind of things did you learn during your work placement?

• The number one thing I learned during my placement is the ability to converse and connect with individuals who have vastly different backgrounds than myself. As I spent a lot of my time engaging in Patient Experience, I was out in the field visiting a variety of different NHS facilities to speak with patients and record their reflections on GP’s, hospitals, dentists, pharmacies, and any other service they chose to share. As I did that daily, I was speaking with people of all ages, backgrounds, religions, ethnicities, and socioeconomic status’ – many of which were vastly different than my own. This forced me to grow my speaking and conversation skills. Additionally, I learned organizational skills and leadership as I took point on coordinating with the many volunteers that joined me at various Patient Experience visits. 

Did the work placement improve your learning/confidence or knowledge in a specific area?

• Absolutely. As I’m not from the United Kingdom, I knew no one or knew anything about the healthcare system here. I’ve had to introduce and familiarize myself with not only colleagues and upper-level management, but also Practice Managers at different facilities. This has grown my ability to introduce myself, share my purpose, and grow my comfort levels when being in uncomfortable and new situations. I find this as a valuable skill going forward in my professional and personal life, so I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity.

What did you enjoy the most about the work placements?

• I enjoyed being in the office with Matthew, Rahima, Mari, Shreya, and Haley, and learning about their lives, their work, and the differences from my life to theirs. It has been an incredibly welcoming culture and I’m thankful for the advice, dialogue, and work we’ve all done together. Additional, as Patient Experience, I’ve been able to explore different areas of London and immerse myself in the culture here. I am thankful for the chance to be out and about while also getting the chance to build relationships with my colleagues in the office.

Has working with Healthwatch changed how you view health and social care services?

• I had no idea what the National Health Service was in the United Kingdom prior to coming here. I knew it as a concept, but the intricacies of the service and residents’ experiences with it was a foreign concept to me. My honest reaction to health and social care services is that there is a lot being done to improve access and experiences, but there is still a long way to go. I am truly of the belief that the COVID pandemic screwed healthcare systems up across the world, and that is partly to blame for a lot of the nuances of health and social care service. That being said, I can see the discrepancies that the pandemic left on healthcare services, and I can see some facilities dancing between pandemic-era thought and post-pandemic practices. For example, the number one complaint I’ve received through all my visits is the difficulty in getting appointments. While there is an immense strain on GPs across London due to high demand and lower supply, many facilities are urging online consultations or telephone calls. While that was essential for health and safety during COVID times, many patients want to be seen by a doctor in-person to explain their needs, especially when many of them have a language barrier or can’t articulate English all that well. On the flipside, many practice managers and hospital staff at Royal London have been receptive to feedback and I believe they’re trying to improve their services. I am a firm believer that Healthcare globally is an evolving system with no clear solution, but the work of Healthwatch Tower Hamlets is impactful, necessary, and will make a difference in the community.

  Intern at Healthwatch Tower Hamlets 

Haley's story  

During my time studying abroad in London, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to enroll in my host university’s internship program, which is where I found out about work placements at Healthwatch Tower Hamlets. I was drawn to this organisation because I am passionate about improving the welfare of others. Interning at Healthwatch Tower Hamlets has taught me how to work as part of a team, as well as how to adapt to new environments. Building relationships with my colleagues was imperative to my success at Healthwatch Tower Hamlets, and the support that I received from them shaped me into a team player. Working here has improved my confidence in my communication skills and has improved my knowledge of health and social care in the UK. What I enjoyed most about this experience was the ability to work outside of the office and immerse myself in unfamiliar settings, whether it be attending workshop events, meetings, or doing Patient Experience. Being from the United States, health and social care differs pretty drastically in my country, and working in the United Kingdom has helped me to understand the importance of quality health and social care for all, no matter what. Overall I have learned that giving previously silenced people a voice when talking about their healthcare is an extremely valuable part of change and improvement within our systems.

Intern at Healthwatch Tower Hamlets