Honorary Psychology/ Speech and Language Assistant Review

It has been an amazing experience, working with so many great people. I have really enjoyed the multidisciplinary team and how they work together in the patients rehabilitation goals. I loved getting to know the patients, although this is a ward the patients are here for an average of a few months, you get to see them develop and you're part of their recovery.

Everyone in the team really appreciates having you there. They really value the extra pair of hands to help in group sessions or to do some in between sessions with patients. From day 1 i felt welcome and everyone was so lovely and friendly. They were also very thankful because i knew my way around Excel which was very helpful for creating spreadsheets.

My primary and secondary supervisor where both lovely, very friendly. Both would regularly check in with me to see if my work load was okay or if i needed any advice on what to do next with patients. I felt that if i need any support they would be there to help me, they welcomed any questions about the centre.

Some days where quiet but on these days i was able to do some uni work or extra research about patients conditions. It depended on the type of patients we had in as to what my work load was and what i was able to assist in. But other days there was lots going on and alot on my timetable.

I was regularly having 1:1 sessions with patients, I was an integral part of their rehabilitation as i was able to provide in between sessions with patients under the guidance of my supervisors/department. My primary supervisor also played an important role in clinical psychology within the Devon Partnership NHS trust, I was in charge of collating data collected by individuals through out the department. I was also in charge of collating the data for SLT's equipment audit .

I feel this placement gave me a year away from my studies to recalibrate. To have a fresh mind to go back to uni with. I have been able to witness conditions we study at uni and learn, hands on, the implications and how to aid in a patients recovery. I have also scored up multiple assessments, and had to compile a great deal of data. All very valuable experiences for my future.

Everybody was lovely and really friendly. They were always in a happy mood and up for laugh. At times things got stressful and staff did feel worn down but they never let it impact their passions for doing the job. If you ever wanted advice on how to best help a patient they entire team would be willing to provide suggestions

There were a few hiccups to start with as my supervisor got thought I was starting a week later than I was. But this resolved well as I attended a department meeting with him. I knew who I reported to and when they were in, since the start everything has been well organised.

I was invited to department meetings and i was responsible for presenting back data i had collected in 2 of the 3. This helped build my own confidence in my ability to talk to large groups of people. I also attended Schwartz rounds, great for developing a greater understanding of a topic and its implications on the team not just the patients e.g FNS. I felt like they wanted me to learn about the various conditions patients had.

If clinical psychology or speech and language was the career i was after then i 100% would love to work here. however as this is part of the NHS it maybe difficult to get job with them. My placement doesn't end with the possibility of a career as they desire a voluntary student year after year.

I was the only psychology placement student at Mardon, we did have the occasional nursing, physio or OT student who were lovely. If i had more free time chances are i would have met them outside of work but i was very busy. During work everyone was very social, especially at lunch time. The team did invite me to several nights outs and meals but i was always unable to attend, but the offer was always there.

i was living in the hospital residencies which cost me £290 a month, very cheap. finding a room to rent elsewhere in Exeter is tricky and alot of them are alot more expensive, £400 a month tended to be the best i could find elsewhere for where i needed and what i wanted. i would say eating and drinking out prices where pretty average for a city.

I have only been on one night out and it was pretty good. some of the clubs are a bit grimy but the cost of the overall night wasnt much more than i was anticipating. spent about £40 (i was only tipsy for most of the night, i would strongly recommend predrinking.)

I was invited to several night out and meals outside of work but i wasn't able to attend them due to working elsewhere aswell.