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The Working in Health Access Network Interim Report and Discussion Paper January 2009 Foreword The Working in Health Access Network (WHAN) exists to increase interest in a career in health amongst school pupils. The focus of WHAN is to increase their aspirations and provide information concerning courses in healthcare in both universities and colleges - as well as introducing them to a wide range of exciting options for the future. The National Health Service (NHS) is the largest employer in the country and is central to the well being of the economy at large. At the heart of any strong and confident organisation is a knowledgeable, professional and motivated workforce. WHAN works directly with the next generation of health workers to ensure that the health sector is staffed by committed individuals with the skills required to help make Scotland a healthier, stronger, fairer, smarter and wealthier place in which to live, study and work. This report portrays the development of the WHAN network so far. It also raises questions and challenges for the future. As the current phase of WHAN continues until this July, the complete statistical analysis is not yet available. Nevertheless, there is considerable creativity, innovation and success in WHAN school and college activities. This report is an introduction to these activities; more detailed outcomes will be available from the middle of 2009. The project has forged a successful partnership. It grew out of the Working in Health Access Programme (WHAP) that was aimed particularly at medicine and veterinary medicine. The need to diversify to other health professions became apparent in order to fulfil the aspirations of young people, to provide realistic ambitions for them and, also, to be more cost effective.
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