Work Experience

The Widening Participation team are dedicated to offering quality work experience at Dorset County Hospital (DCH).

Our offering is open to individuals within the local area wanting to gain practical experience within a healthcare setting. Whether you are a student or looking to change careers, we look forward to receiving your application.

Priority is given to:

• Applications from the Dorset Council area
• Individuals that have or had an Educational, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
• Individuals that are considered not being in education, employment, or training (NEET).

Work experience

DCH has received the Work Experience Quality Standard Silver Award from NHS England.

The Work Experience Quality Standard is a framework for healthcare organisations to demonstrate the quality of their work experience placements. It aims to ensure consistency and high standards in work experience opportunities.

The standard provides assurance to organisations and participants that work experience offers meet high standards and are consistently planned, delivered, and evaluated.

We offer clinical and non-clinical programmes for up to one week (40 hours maximum) from the age of 16 (Year 12) upwards who are looking for placements in a hospital environment.

Applications for work experience between September 2026 and July 2027 are now open.

All applicants must complete an expression of interest form prior to completing an application form and a heath and equality questionnaire.

Complete an expression of interest form

Other Programmes

NHS Careers Exposure Programme

Year 10-11 Non-clinical programme where students will be able to gain experience in the Education Centre at Dorset County Hospital. Gaining exposure to areas such as the Simulation Lab and Pharmacy. Programmes are run on specific dates in line with local schools. 

NHS Programmes

Year 12-13 clinical programmes that include Introduction to Medicine, Medical and Dentistry and Introduction to Nursing. Programmes are up to one week (40 hours maximum). Programmes will have an individual application process and some will require tutor references.

Introduction to Allied Health Professionals

Delivered here at Dorset County Hospital, and held in partnership with Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust, the three-day programme provides students an opportunity to explore AHP careers and gain insight into the skills and behaviours that enable healthcare workers to best support patients and their families.

Introduction to Medicine – 26-28 October 2026

The Introduction to Medicine Programme at Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (DCH) is a clinical careers programme designed for Year 12 and Year 13 students who are considering applying to medical school. It provides a realistic insight into studying medicine and working as a doctor within the NHS.

Delivered at DCH, participants will have opportunities to:

• Learn and practise basic clinical skills and patient observations.
• Attend specialist talks from consultants and doctors across different medical specialties.
• Spend time in DCH’s Simulation Lab, experiencing realistic clinical scenarios.
• Explore the role of doctors in both hospital and wider healthcare settings.
• Gain insight into medical school applications, careers in medicine, and NHS career pathways.

The programme will run on:

• 26 October, 9am to 3.15pm
• 27 October, 9am to 4pm
• 28 October, 9am to 4pm

There will be a cost of £60 for the programme. A daily lunch voucher for use in Damers Restaurant is included. 

Students eligible for free school meals while in year 11, will not need to pay for a place if accepted. 

Please complete this form to start your application

Applications

We particularly welcome applications from schools or youth organisations with young people who:

• are at risk of not being in education, employment, or training (NEET)
• are a looked after child or care leaver
• are a young carer
• are from a lower income family
• have exam grades that were/may be lower than expected or hoped for
• have mental ill health, learning difficulties, disability, or long-term illness
• are a refugee or asylum seeker.

Unfortunately, not all departments able to have work experience students. If the preferred department is not an option, an alternative will be found. Please be aware that we are unable to facilitate placements in the following departments due to the exposure risk:

• Ambulance / paramedicine
• Paediatrics / child services / maternity.

Please do not contact departments directly, all requests must come through the Widening Participation team via the application process.

Please note, work experience will run term time only, and not during the school holidays.

For more information please email dch.widening.participation@nhs.net

Useful links

Take our careers quiz | Health Careers

Workplace Experience – Dorset Chamber

University Hospitals Birmingham Trust Virtual Work Experience – Medic Mentor

Explore Careers in the NHS’ Course – Youth Employment UK

NHS England | Hub powered by Springpod

Travelling to Dorset County Hospital | Dorset County Hospital

Frequently asked questions