WORRIED about problems of recruiting new staff in their department, two NHS workers at Musgrove Park Hospital have been going into schools and colleges to encourage young people into the roles.

And their efforts have led to twice as many applicants as there are vacancies in their department at the Taunton hospital.

Therapy radiographers Shannon Johnson and Naman Julka-Anderson have spent the last six months raising awareness among students of how young people can get into the field of radiotherapy.

The pair, who work as therapy radiographers at the Beacon Centre cancer unit, have now scooped a top national award for their efforts.

They won the Inspirational Science, Technology, Engineer and Mathematics Employer accolade for their work experience programme at the hospital.

Naman said: "We have been going into schools to encourage people to consider a career in the NHS and the reaction from children and teachers has been really good.

"So far we’ve seen about 5,000 people in just six months and we’ve been approached by schools at all age ranges, including primary schools, for us to come in to give a careers talk."

Shannon said: "We’re so pleased with the great reaction we’ve had from teachers and we are hoping to be able to give them training sessions in the near future so they can include radiotherapy in science lessons.

"We’re particularly interested in speaking to young people in the final year of secondary school, and those in college, so we can give them a guiding hand before they start considering university choices."

The awards judges praised the Musgrove radiotherapy team for their efforts in the light of a 33 per cent decrease in students and a national shortage of radiographers.

The judges said: "They sought out the STEM ambassadors programme and reached out to schools across Somerset, creating an excellent programme of work experience and enrichment days for students.

"These proved so popular that they had twice as many applications as there were places to fill.

"We were very pleased to give this award to the hospital’s radiotherapy department which has shown great initiative to address the problem of a STEM skills shortage."