A SET of NHS apprentices at a Hampshire college have finished with top marks across the board.

The first group of University Hospital Southampton patient service administrators to complete their apprenticeships with Eastleigh College have all gained distinctions, the highest grade possible.

The six apprentices all work as Patient Service Centre Administrators within the hospitals Patient Services Team which is responsible for making bookings, outpatient appointments and ensuring compliance with the hospital’s waiting targets.

The group are the first cohort to complete their apprenticeships since Eastleigh College was contracted to provide the Customer Service Practitioner apprenticeship standard for the NHS Trust.

Eastleigh College’s Professional Studies Assessor, Julie Clayton, who supported the apprentices for the latter part of their studies, said: “All six did extremely well, especially as they had to balance working and studying in the already challenging environment of healthcare during the pandemic.

"Their impressive achievement is fantastic news. It’s testament to their hard work and commitment, and is an example showing dedication within the NHS isn’t limited to the clinical side of things.”