Daryl-Ashlee's Reflections on DHT.health Placement

As part of the NHS Graduate Management Trainee Scheme, I’ve spent the last two months with the team at DHT.health for my flexi placement. It’s been an extremely valuable experience, and I’m grateful for the support the team has provided to ensure I got the most from this opportunity.

Throughout my time here, I’ve worked on projects aimed at improving outcomes for people living with rare bleeding diseases. Exploring overall health and the burden of disease on both the individuals and their caregivers, this is an area I hadn’t previously focused on during my NHS placements. This work has offered me a fresh perspective on health beyond hospital walls and helped me develop a deeper understanding of the lived experiences that occur outside clinical settings. It’s reinforced the idea that healthcare doesn’t end upon discharge.

I’ve had the opportunity to research a range of rare diseases, which has broadened my perspective not only on keeping populations healthy and out of hospital, but also on recognising the everyday challenges faced by those living with conditions that are often overlooked.

To conclude this placement, I had the pleasure of accompanying the team to the Haemophilia Society Big Get Together 2025. Hearing directly from people living with rare bleeding diseases and speakers was a valuable reminder of both the healthcare challenges they continue to face and the gaps that still exist in care. Hearing their lived experiences highlighted where services can better support people with rare bleeding diseases, from access and information, to continuity across clinical pathways. As I move into my role within the NHS Digital Projects team, I’m motivated to use these insights to help shape patient-centred digital solutions to help transform care across the NHS.

I’m truly grateful to the team at DHT.health for this opportunity. It’s an experience that’s helped shape how I think about healthcare, and I will carry the lessons I've learnt forward.

Below are some pictures from our recent participation at The Haemophilia Societies Big Get Together 2025, where we shared findings back to those with von Willebrand Disease and also discussed ageing in bleeding disorders.