Health graduates proud to join NHS in its 75th year

LJMU’s latest Faculty of Health graduates had cause for double celebration today as they officially picked up their qualifications in the same month that the NHS turned 75.

Over the past 75 years there has been vast transformation in the education of NHS nurses, midwives and paramedics, making a difference every day to the lives of people in our region. Our psychology and public health graduates also play a significant role in helping to reduce health inequalities promoting excellence in education and research.   

Looking even further back in history, LJMU can trace its own healthcare education roots back some 160 years to the establishment of district nursing in the city.

Today more than 5,000 students study every year with the School of Nursing and Allied Health and the School of Psychology and with the Public Health Institute, as part of LJMU’s mission to produce the best nurses, midwives, paramedics and public health professionals in the UK, alongside pioneering research.

Students graduating from ceremonies on Friday 14 July will now go on to take up positions in the NHS locally and nationally, while already practising professionals have advanced their skills picking up further qualifications that will help to improve patient experiences and outcomes in the NHS.

Reece Thomason hopes to join the ambulance service in London after graduating from the paramedic science programme at LJMU. He said: “It’s been a fun three years but it’s a relief to be here and very exciting. I’m now looking at moving down to London and working as a paramedic. Every day will be different and ultimately, it’s making a difference and helping people where you can.”

Priscilla Chipfupi is already working in community care and now that she has her adult nursing degree, hopes to progress and become a community nurse. She said: “The sky is the limit, I might go on and do a master’s and I want to become a community nurse, I like learning. There is nothing that is going to stop me. My previous profession was accounting, but I didn’t want to be an accountant at all, I like serving people, I like looking after people, I like caring for other people.”

Pro-Vice-Chancellor for the Faculty of Health, Professor Raphaela Kane, said: “I’m incredibly proud of the students graduating today from across the Faculty of Health. The skills and knowledge they have gained during their years of study and placements across the city region will help to ensure that people receive the highest quality of healthcare.

“As the NHS celebrates its own landmark anniversary, we can also take pride in knowing that LJMU has played a significant role in providing healthcare excellence for the NHS which continues to transform lives, and our society.”

Health education stretching across the globe

And it’s not just in the UK that LJMU is making a difference. Mark Mc Riley is both a professor and a nurse in the USA and today said it felt like he was finishing up ‘putting all of the pieces together’ as he collected his PhD from the Public Health Institute.

“I did my PhD on older people who have long-term opioid addiction, both in the United States and then the UK. I can’t believe I made it to the finish line; it’s a super remarkable achievement and I’m really excited to be finished and to enjoy the moment.”

Day five of summer graduation

Across Friday’s three ceremonies, hundreds of students from the Faculty of Arts, Professional and Social Studies graduated alongside those from the Faculty of Health.

You can find pictures from today’s ceremonies on the LJMU graduation webpages and on the LJMU social media channels.

Study nursing at LJMU

There are now extra places available for a September 2023 start in adult and child nursing.

Anyone interested can visit LJMU’s clearing hub and fill in a self-serve form to look at eligibility for an offer of study.