Work Experience at East Surrey Hospital
Meet the Practitioner Careers Event 2026 – Tuesday 10th November 2026
Join us for Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust’s annual Meet the Practitioner Careers Event on Tuesday 10th November, from 5pm to 8pm, at East Surrey Hospital.
Booking is required. For full event details and to reserve your place, visit our Eventbrite booking page: https://
This inspiring evening gives individuals of all ages the chance to explore the wide variety of career opportunities available within the NHS. It’s a unique opportunity to meet healthcare professionals from clinical, non-clinical, and technical departments, ask questions, and gain valuable insights into roles, training pathways, and progression opportunities.
Whether you are planning your next steps or considering a career change, this event offers an insight into how NHS professions support patient care and the wider healthcare system.
Work Experience
For volunteering opportunities, please visit: https://www.surreyandsussex.nhs.uk/work-us/volunteering and email: sash.volunteering@nhs.net
There are over 350 careers within the NHS, and whatever your skills, qualifications, or interests, there is a pathway for you. At East Surrey Hospital, we are committed to supporting those exploring a future within the NHS through work experience opportunities and career-focused events.
Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust have been one of the few organisations to successfully reintroduce work experience placements since the pandemic. In 2026, we were pleased to offer over 150 placements across clinical, administrative, and technical areas.
Our work experience programme provides valuable insight into a wide range of NHS careers. Most placements are observational, particularly within clinical settings where patient safety and confidentiality are essential. Students shadow experienced professionals, observe real-life scenarios, and gain a deeper understanding of the skills, teamwork, and dedication required to deliver high quality patient care.
Whether you are interested in medicine, nursing, allied health professions, healthcare science, digital and IT services, or hospital administration, our placements offer a meaningful introduction to the daily workings of a busy acute hospital.
Applications for 2027
Applications for our 2027 Work Experience Programme will open on Monday 23 November 2026. Please check this website regularly for further information about the application process, placement opportunities, and guidance on how to apply.
Eligibility
Students must be aged 16-25 and live in Surrey or Sussex.
If you're aged over 25 and exploring a new career path within healthcare, we'd still love to hear from you. While our standard placements are designed for younger students, we may be able to offer alternative opportunities or guidance. Please email the team to discuss your options.
Other placement routes
For enquiries relating to other types of placements, please use the following contacts:
• Clinical placements (university courses): sash.clinicalplacements@nhs.net
• Medical placements (medical degrees): sash.pgec.eastsurrey@nhs.net
• Qualified doctors seeking experience: sash.mrt@nhs.net
To promote careers in health and care, Health Education England (HEE) has funded free online work-related learning programmes for students.
Hosted by Springpod, these programmes provide an overview of healthcare careers, help develop key professional skills, and include opportunities to hear directly from NHS staff about their day-to-day work. Students complete assignments and, on finishing the programme, receive a certificate that can strengthen CVs, personal statements, and interviews.
• Nursing - Find out more about Nursing opportunities: https://
• Medicine - Find out more about Medicine opportunities: https://
• Allied health professional - Find out more about AHP opportunities: https://
• Healthcare Science - Find out more about Healthcare Science opportunities: https:/
Follow this link for guidance on work experience from the Medical Schools Council as well as additional medical work experience links: https://
Studying Healthcare - https://studyinghealthcare.ac.uk/
Studying Healthcare is a partnership between the Medical, Dental and Pharmacy Schools Councils, funded by Health Education England. The site provides clear guidance on applying to medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy degrees, with a focus on widening access. It also hosts an outreach hub offering events and resources from university health faculties across the UK to support students, parents, and schools.
Step into the NHS - https:/
Step into the NHS is a free careers website helping young people explore over 350 NHS roles. It offers interactive tools, competitions, and real-life stories from staff, giving students, parents, and teachers clear insight into healthcare careers and pathways.
Health Careers Website - https:/
Health Careers is the official NHS careers website, offering guidance on over 350 roles, apprenticeships, training, and live vacancies. It helps students, career changers, and professionals explore pathways, gain experience, and plan their future in healthcare.
Medical Schools Council - https:/
The Medical Schools Council provides advice and guidance for students considering a career in medicine, including information about medical school applications, work experience, and the skills and values needed to become a doctor.