Hands-on placement for A-level students

AS and A-level students considering a degree in medicine spent time with qualified doctors, medical students, nurses, radiographers, laboratory staff and volunteers during their Aspiring Medics placement.

Accredited by Industrial Cadets, an organisation inspired by The Prince of Wales, the placement is the first work experience programme to be accredited at the trust and has been running for two years.

The accreditation acts as both a kite mark to recognise high quality placements and also a framework for developing provision following best practice.

The programme has been co-ordinated by Dr Susan Geary, consultant radiologist, Mr Vikram Desai, orthopaedic consultant, and Ms Val McCabe, medical education undergraduate co-ordinator.

Dr Geary said: “The placement is a fantastic opportunity for young people to gain a variety of experiences within a hospital environment and to help them make decisions about their future careers.”

The youngsters spent time with staff in areas including pharmacy, fracture clinic, endoscopy, orthopaedics, ear, nose and throat clinic and ophthalmology.

They also tried their hand at basic clinical skills such as plastering and cannulation.

Faith Olaoti, and Amber Ball, both 17, who took part, attend The Brunts Academy, Mansfield.

At the end of the week - June 27 to July 1 – the students gave a presentation on their experiences to the group. Lucas Brown, aged 16, from Collingham, was presented with a book voucher as prize for the best presentation.