News

Trust apprentice wins prestigious national award 20 Jun 2023

Joe Maslen, who works at Charing Cross and St Mary’s hospitals, has been named Apprentice of the Year at the Skills for Health Our Health Heroes Awards.

Joe was presented with this prestigious national award at a special ceremony at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in London earlier this month in recognition of his work as a radiotherapy apprentice assistant practitioner at Charing Cross Hospital.

Joe first joined Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust in 2020. He was the first person to hold the apprentice role in Charing Cross’ busy radiotherapy department, where the team mainly treat patients with cancer using high-energy, targeted radiation aiming to cure cancer or reduce symptoms.   

Joe was nominated by Jamie Brooks, clinical practice educator at the Trust, who praised Joe's innovative approach and called him a 'clear ambassador for apprenticeships’. In addition to Joe’s role at the Trust, he is an ambassador for the North West London Allied Health Professionals (AHP) and has joined a Health Education England (HEE) organisation committee.

Joe is currently working at St Mary’s Hospital as a theatre support worker. He said: “I'm really grateful to be recognised, but the most important thing for me is to know that I've actually made a difference with the work that I've done. I'm very grateful to Jamie Brooks for nominating me and want to thank everyone who voted for me.”

Jamie Brooks, clinical practice educator, nominated Joe for the award and said: “Since joining the Trust, Joe has been quite the innovator, creating a pilot infection control project that reduced both virus and bacteria levels passively in the radiotherapy department.”

This project is now being extended to include chemotherapy wards at the hospital.  

Jamie added: “Joe has also assisted in a major quality improvement project, working with a consultant clinical oncologist and other staff to collect data on primary brain tumour patients and is working with a Society of Radiographers group to help redefine delegation, supervision, and governance for radiography support workers.

“He is a clear ambassador for apprenticeships and a thoroughly deserving winner.”

The Skills for Health Our Health Heroes is sponsored by UNISON, NHS England, NHS Employers and more