Sessions offer Insight into a Career in Medicine

Pupils at Kirkwall Grammar School have been given an insight into medical careers by local GPs, to encourage them to consider applying to Medical School in the future.

Targeted to pupils in S3, 4 and 5 who are taking two or more sciences, the Medical Insight Session was offered by NHS Orkney and run by Doctors Ingrid Seatter, Anne Nicolson and Angus Lyon from the Heilendi Medical Practice.  They were joined by Merin Manoq, a fifth-year medical student.

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​Forty-seven pupils attended the sessions where they gained an insight into following a path into the medical profession, along with tips on how they can gain experience and build transferrable skills that will help them in the future when applying to university or when working.

Practical sessions offered them the chance to learn basic lifesaving skills using a defibrillator and how to help someone who is choking.  They then took part in a discussion about ethics before getting the chance to ask any questions they may have.

Pupils who attended the sessions were also given handouts to help them with their next steps.  This included information on how the Heilendi Medical Practice can support them through work placements, advice on tips on sitting the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) and support for completing UCAS applications and preparing for a university interview.

They were also advised that there may be financial support available to help with visiting university, attending interviews or programmes to support pupils interested in studying medicine.

Another handout detailed the timeline of what they should be doing at each stage of their schooling to help them access medical school.

Pupils interested in exploring a career in medicine further should speak to their Guidance Teacher, Careers Adviser or DYW School Co-ordinator.

Thank you to the team at NHS Orkney for offering this session.