Phoebe Edwards

Phoebe Edwards, year 3 apprentice with South Bedfordshire Community Podiatry Service, East London NHS Foundation Trust

Please tell us a little about the service and team where you work

I am part of the South Bedfordshire Community Podiatry Service at East London NHS Foundation Trust (ELFT).

What does a typical week look like for you as an apprentice?

I am based in community clinics in Luton, Houghton Regis and Leighton Buzzard, as well as the Luton and Dunstable Hospital. We also have a home visit caseload for those housebound patients requiring wound debridement. Our team provides many services, mainly high-risk wound care, nail surgery and prevention for at-risk patients.

My job role involves work-based learning and responsibilities with my employer while completing my podiatry degree. On a day-to-day basis, I am helping to provide foot care and support the podiatry team. A typical week consists of one day of lectures at university, one full or half-day allotted study time, and three days of clinics. I now have my own clinics which are supervised by a podiatrist who reviews my treatment plans and dressings after debridement. As an apprentice, I also have additional admin responsibilities. For example, I organise the Diabetic Foot Training provided by our team for other HCPs in the surrounding area.

Why did you consider an apprenticeship in podiatry?

I knew I wanted to pursue a healthcare career but was unsure of what path I wanted to take. Upon working with the community diabetes service in Luton, I discovered podiatry and was able to observe a variety of diabetes specialist podiatry clinic appointments. This sparked my keen interest in podiatry - an area of healthcare which previously I had not known existed! I particularly enjoyed hearing the rewarding stories and how appreciative patients were to see progress.

Top tips for future apprentices

• Time management is important. It could take some time during the first year to settle into the study routine, but this will get easier with time
• Since you are there to learn, don't be hesitant to ask questions! This will help with your university learning. If there's anything you don't understand, your colleagues will be happy to explain it to you because they have been through the same process
• There will be challenging aspects to balancing difficult learning and your job role. However, you will pass those exams and meet your deadlines
• Enjoy every moment. Keep your enthusiasm and excitement alive.