A newly qualified doctor is enjoying his first few shifts delivering for the people of Renfrewshire, after starting the next stage of his medical career on the wards of the Royal Alexandra Hospital.
Dr Aodhan Foster, 24, from Derry in Northern Ireland, completed his studies at the University of Glasgow. He’s now working on the general surgery wards of the Paisley hospital and has been supporting patients. He’s also received a lot of support from his new colleagues.
He said: “I couldn’t have asked for a better welcome and everyone was as lovely, patient and understanding as can be – but there’s also the realisation that I’m there now as a doctor, rather than a student.”
“It still sounds a bit strange to be called doctor, but it does come with real responsibility, although we are still very well supported as we continue our training journey – and everyone has their part to play in patient care.”
Some 489 newly qualified doctors are embarking on the next chapter of their medical careers.
The first-year foundation doctors are taking part in organisational, departmental and online inductions before taking on their rotations across hospital departments to learn all aspects of their job.
After completing medical school, junior doctors have to complete a two-year foundation programme in both hospital and primary care, where they experience multiple areas of practice.
After these two years, they will decide their next steps as a doctor.
Dr Foster, who lives in Partick, Glasgow, came into medicine to make a difference. He added: “I just like working with people and problem solving and I seeing how my intervention helps to make a real difference, or if we need to try something different.”
He has a significant interest in pharmacology – the impact of medicines and how they interact with the body – and through his training has also taken to emergency medicine, intensive care specialities and obstetrics.
He said: “I did my woman’s health block here at the RAH and I have another rotation at the end of my second year here which I’m really looking forward to. I really enjoyed working on the more higher risk pregnancies and maternal fetal medicine which is a developing specialty.
“I’ve assisted in two or three c-sections, but I haven’t delivered a baby through a normal delivery, because that’s a midwife’s remit. Keeping mums and babies safe, is a great job.”
Dr Jennifer Armstrong, medical director at NHSGGC, said: “Every new doctor joining the NHS has a key role in shaping our recovery post-pandemic.
“They are the next generation of highly skilled, medical professionals who will provide the very best in patient-centred care for the people and communities they serve.”
For Dr Foster, the focus now is one the patients and he always has an easy ice-breaker.
He concluded: “The Irish accent is always a good way to get a conversation started and then we can look at how to make people get better.”
