i-learnThe RCM’s free online learning resource, i-learn, has been available for almost a year and more than 2000 members have registered for courses. There are currently ten courses available ranging from continuing professional development to workplace representative training. New courses will be developed and added at regular intervals and the team is always happy to consider requests for learning topics.
The RCM has now introduced i-folio, a free electronic portfolio, allowing you to safely and privately store all of your learning and education records, your CV and a reflective area. Accessing i-learn and i-folio couldn’t be easier. Simply visit the RCM website at:
www.rcm.org.uk/ilearn and log in using your membership number.
Numeracy awareness workshopsIt has been reported that the numeracy skills of some professionals in the NHS are of concern to heads of service. The RCM is seeking to address this by developing a short interactive workshop looking at keeping numeracy skills fresh and up to date, so members can assess their skills and have confidence in dealing with calculations at work and home.
RCM union learning representative project worker Imogen Fleury worked with ULRs Irene Gregory and Fola Ajayi at University College London Hospitals to deliver the numeracy awareness workshop to over 20 midwives and MSWs in September. The workshop was well received and the use of interactive key pads, allowing answers to be selected confidentially, proved popular.
Championing maternity services apprenticeshipsA key element of the union learning project is to engage and support the role of apprenticeships. These are becoming a growing feature of the NHS workforce across the UK and we believe, if introduced appropriately, they can be an effective means of raising the skill levels and knowledge of MSWs, whether they are existing staff or new recruits.
However, introducing an apprenticeship role needs careful thought, planning, preparation and ongoing support. We have published a guide and toolkit for apprenticeships in maternity services supported by Skills for Health and NHS Employers. It provides information for all concerned with maternity workforce development to help decide whether apprenticeships are right for their service. If they do, there is a step-by-step toolkit to developing and supporting the apprentice role.
ULR learning eventsA key part of the ULR role is engaging members with all types of learning, both professional and personal. Across England, ULRs have been organising a wide variety of learning events. Jillian Ireland, ULR at St Mary’s Maternity Hospital in Poole, took over the break room as a learning hub for national learning at work day and invited the Open University to discuss the courses they offer. A demonstration of i-learn was given and Jillian discussed her role and the learning opportunities on offer through the RCM and the trust.
At Medway Maritime Hospital in Kent, ULR Dannii McLaughlin recently organised a successful event for midwives and MSWs, looking at their role in working with bereavement and loss. She invited speakers from Sands, Cruse Bereavement Care, the hospital chaplaincy, a representative from local funeral directors, and the labour ward manager to talk to the group. The feedback was extremely positive.
RCM conference 2011The ULR project team had a stand at this year’s conference demonstrating i-learn and i-folio, as well as offering advice and information about becoming a ULR. It also ran a workshop around the importance of numeracy skills at the workplace representatives’ conference.
To find out how to become a ULR and how we can support a learning event in your workplace, please contact:
imogen.fleury@rcm.org.uk (southern England) or:
peter.amphlett@rcm.org.uk (northern England).
