A “dedicated and determined” female patient from Silverstone ward has made a splash among her care workers after becoming a fully qualified lifeguard.

Following a recent assessment, which the 20-year-old passed, she has now completed the full qualification required for working around a public swimming pool.

Abigail Ralph, Sport and Exercise Therapist for Women’s services, said: “I have been doing sport and exercise therapy with the patient for over a year as part of her recovery journey and she expressed interest in attending the lifeguard training course here at St Andrew’s in Gloucester house.

 “She has been supported by myself and all six training candidates, who are staff members and she has been completed dedicated and determined to complete. The whole team has been amazing in supporting this patient through the course, and is another great demonstration of co-produced training and the benefits of reduced restriction from the whole team through every one’s learning journey.

“I am not aware of anywhere else in the country that has completed such an event for their service users supporting recovery journeys.”

The training involved the patient visiting the swimming pool everyday and carrying out various rescues, including getting a casualty out of the water on a spinal board and rescuing an unconscious person.

The rest of the day was spent doing theory that covered things like CPR and health and safety.

The patient said: “I decided to embark upon this training as I’ve started to think beyond hospital and I want to start building up my CV for when I eventually leave. Now that I have this qualification, I am hoping to start working as a lifeguard in my local leisure centre. I’m very grateful that I’ve been given this opportunity as I have gained lots of extra skills which will aid my transition from hospital back into normal life.”