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A diagnostic radiography student has won the 2025 Health and Care Professions Council’s student competition 2025, which asked them to design a learning session on patient safety.
Samehah Chowdhury is studying BSc Diagnostic Radiography at the University of Brighton, and her entry into the competition netted her victory and a £300 voucher.
This year, the competition received a record number of entries with “extremely high quality” – but Samehah’s entry stood out for being a “strong, clear, and engaging session that successfully meets its objectives”.
Speaking up and raising concerns
The student competition asked entrants to design a learning session on speaking up and raising concerns where patient safety and colleagues’ behaviour makes it necessary – a requirement for all Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registrants.
Students enrolled in a HCPC-approved pre-registration programme were invited to develop a session that explored why speaking up and raising concerns is important; how to develop a range of approaches that are effective and constructive; and how approaches should differ depending on the situation.
Developing the skills to do this effectively and constructively is “essential” for registrants, the competition emphasised.
Samehah’s presentation explained: “A student noticed a colleague reusing single-use equipment. They reported it early to their supervising lead and an infection risk was prevented. Speaking up isn’t about blame — it’s about preventing harm.”
Enhancing clarity and understanding
Judges in the competition said of Samehah’s submission: “The session has clear, well-defined learning objectives and effectively addresses each one. It is highly engaging, using varied teaching techniques such as case studies, group work, scenarios, and quizzes. The presentation is creative, combining visuals with interactive activities, and it flows well, enhancing clarity and understanding.”
The winners were formally awarded their prizes by the HCPC Council on 4 December 2025. The HCPC’s Council, which consists of 12 members led by the chair, directs the work of the HCPC. The council reviewed the winning entries and noted that they tackled the subject matter excellently.
Runners-up included Haien Chen, who is completing the Scientist Training Programme in Genomics at National School of Healthcare Science, NHS England, and Hannah Standing, who is studying Paramedic Science at Keele University
Find out more information about the competition, and access the learning sessions in full, online here.
(Image: (L-R) Haien Chen, Hannah Standing, HCPC judge, Samehah Chowdhury)