North of Scotland set to welcome record number of medical students this year
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THE north of Scotland is set to welcome a record intake of medical students across NHS Grampian, NHS Highland and the University of Aberdeen this year.
Almost 300 undergraduate students will start Aberdeen University's medical programme in September.
The number of students coming to the north has been increasing over a five-year period as part of the Scottish Government's commitment to boosting the future medical workforce.
During their first three years of study, students benefit from a wide range of clinical attachments delivered at hospitals across NHS Grampian’s Foresterhill Health Campus - the largest teaching hospital campus in Europe.
In year 4, all students complete at least one of seven placements in Inverness, and many select the ‘Remote and Rural’ option which allows them to spend the whole academic year in Inverness.
The final year of study sees students complete at least one clinical attachment in either Inverness, Elgin or further afield.
Professor Siladitya Bhattacharya, Head of School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition at the University of Aberdeen, said: “The excellent feedback from our final year students represents a hugely positive reflection on the clinical learning experience provided by NHS Grampian and NHS Highland.
"We would like to acknowledge and thank colleagues for our strong partnership as we welcome many more students onto the programme."
Nick Fluck, NHS Grampian Medical Director, added: "Students share fresh perspectives and inspiration and help us to deliver high standards of service to people in our care.
"We hope students become our future colleagues, and we are keen to ensure they want to stay and work in the area."
Rafsan Chowdury, who is in his fifth year of study at the university, has had placements across much of the north of Scotland including in Elgin.
"As part of my clinical placements I’ve worked at hospitals in Stornoway, Elgin, Inverness, Aberdeen and Fraserburgh," he said.
"As I start to apply for a foundation job, I feel well-prepared and that I have had a diverse range of experiences. I was on Stornoway for two months and gained a lot of exposure to different patient issues in that time including how to deal with transfers from rural areas and how you prioritise. I felt fully integrated into the team and gained valuable multi-dimensional experience.”
More information about the training options can be found here.
