Building confidence in safer people handling: How RoSPA training has strengthened practice at Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust

Discover how Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust strengthened people handling training through the RoSPA Level 3 Award for Proportionate Safer People Handling Trainers, improving confidence, competence and workplace safety.

In healthcare organisations, safe moving and handling practices are essential for protecting both staff and patients. Ensuring employees have the skills, confidence and competence to carry out people handling tasks safely can help reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries, improve patient care and promote a stronger safety culture.

For Dawn Woodhouse, Moving and Handling Trainer at Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, completing the RoSPA Level 3 Award for Proportionate Safer People Handling Trainers course gave her the confidence and knowledge needed to transition from clinical practice into training and development.

Why did you initially decide to take the Level 3 Award for Proportionate Safer People Handling Trainers course?

Dawn said: “It was required for me to take the course as part of my role, but also for it to give me a better understanding of the correct way to provide training and it provided me with a more in-depth look into training needs. I have only ever been a clinical member of staff until I became a trainer, the switch to non-clinical and being a trainer was new to me. So, the course helped a lot.”

What did you think of the course? 

“I felt the course was very good, the content was in depth, and it covered all the points that I felt were required. I finished the course feeling more confident in my role. During the course it was pointed out how other Trusts/moving and handling trainers work. We were able to support each other and use things that they did back in our own teams that were beneficial.”

Would you recommend studying with RoSPA? If so, why?

“I would definitely recommend studying with RoSPA, the courses are enjoyable, informing, thorough and well organised. The trainers are very knowledgeable in their areas and being able to interact with others is always beneficial.”

How has the course impacted on your work and on your organisation? 

“It has made me confident and competent in my role. It has given me a better understanding of what is required from me to provide adequate training to the staff in my Trust. It has given me the confidence to speak up when things aren’t right and provide the information to back it up.

"The Trust I work for has benefited from the training I attended as it has made me better at what I do and given me more knowledge of how things should be done.”