Ambitious students from low-income backgrounds were welcomed to The James Cook University Hospital as part of its annual residential programme aimed at inspiring the next generation of doctors.
More than 50 students from across the UK came together from Monday 22 July to Friday 26 July to learn and interact with the trust’s diverse workforce whilst learning more about their roles and responsibilities.
It is aimed at 16 to 17-year-olds and offers them a unique insight into the life of being a healthcare professional.
The week consisted of budding pupils putting their skills to test by learning more about the roles of staff from various professions and interacting with them – helping these youngsters acquire behind-the-scenes knowledge of a busy acute hospital trust.
The programme also helped the students to participate in several innovative and interactive sessions such as observing a live ENT (ear, nose and throat) surgery through a video link.
The session presented an opportunity for the curious-minded individuals to ask questions to the operating ENT consultant.
Moreover, the mental health team from Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust were also present, which included psychiatrists and service users, and they were able to give them a glimpse into their careers.
These learning and interactive sessions have helped the youngsters to know more about the work being carried out in a busy acute hospital trust whilst assisting them to get ahead of the curve as they prepare to commence a career in medicine.
Head of medical education Louise Campbell said: “It was such a pleasure to have 50 students here last week as part of the Social Mobility Foundation. They spent the week fully immersed in the role of a doctor.
They had a ‘speed networking session’ with consultants and teaching fellows, practical sessions including putting on plaster casts, body painting, watching a live operation but more importantly having the time to interact and ask questions to the medical workforce.”