Junior doctors, Lauren Gowland and Michael Moore
A programme set up by Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is proving to be a huge success in developing potential medics into junior doctors.
The work experience programme, set up by the Medical Education department, was established to offer local college students the opportunity to spend time working in a hospital and develop their experience in order to improve their medical school applications.
This year, Blackpool has welcomed two junior doctors, Michael Moore and Lauren Gowland, back to the Trust for their training after they received a positive experience on the work experience programme.
Michael, 24, from St Annes, attended programme when he was a student at Blackpool Sixth Form College.
He said: “I loved the experience at Blackpool and I was given the opportunity to spend time on the wards with juniors.
“I was given a great insight into a medical career by practicing procedures in simulation and assisting patients.
“It’s difficult to gain work experience in a hospital so this opportunity was great for me!
“I was recommended the course and the hospital as a place to work by a fellow Foundation doctor and I would recommend the programme to any potential student as it is great to add to your CV and UCAS application”.
Lauren studied medicine at Lancaster University and worked at Blackpool on her placements in clinical areas, including Accident and Emergency, which she said was beneficial to her clinical exposure.
She said: “The teaching opportunities at Blackpool were by far the best from all the hospitals we had placements with.
“The support I received was great and some of the doctors offered me their contact details to offer advice with my personal statement- which was fantastic!
“The opportunity the work experience programme offers is fantastic to get a foot in the door and I am delighted to be back in my training at Blackpool”.
Deputy Undergraduate Manger, Julie Summers, has organised the programme since it was introduced in 2010.
Julie said: “The programme was introduced as we identified the need for students to experience a NHS setting prior to applying to medical school.
“During the programme, the students will spend three days within the hospital and attend various sessions, including basic clinical skills, basic life support and observation of the emergency department and also medical and surgical wards.
“The programme is available to students aged 17 years and over and enables us to engage with the students at the beginning of their journey and to assist them with the application process to medical school.
“It is fantastic to see past students who have attended this course return to us as Foundation trainees!”