A NEW generation of potential medical professionals joined in a mini medical school held at the South West Acute Hospital.
Twenty-two local Year 13 students from schools across Fermanagh and Tyrone were the first to take part in the new initiative run by the Western Trust and organised by Hannah Gillespie, a junior doctor from Belcoo. Workforce challenges are front and centre in discussions about the future of heath care provision here.
The mini medical school enabled students to get a ‘behind the scenes’ look at what is involved in taking up a medical career.
Hannah Gillespie, Western Trust Foundation Year 1 Doctor at SWAH said she would hope that the initiative would encourage young people to come back and work for SWAH in the future.
She explained, “During the intensive three-day programme, students shadowed junior doctors across the hospital, learning clinical skills and finding out what it’s like to be a medical student.”
Professor Ronan O’Hare, assistant director at SWAH, said, “This was a valuable opportunity for local students to engage with professional staff to gain a greater understanding of the range of careers available within medicine at the South West Acute Hospital.
“Hannah and our junior doctors at the hospital are to be commended for giving up their time to ensure that the students get hands-on experience of working with our medical, nursing and allied health profession staff in a variety of wards and departments.”
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