More than 250 newly qualified doctors are being welcomed on wards across Greater Glasgow and Clyde as they embark on the next chapter of their medical careers.
At the start of their training, the first year foundation doctors (FY1s), are currently taking part in detailed online inductions, simulation and immediate life support training, before embarking on their rotations across hospital departments to learn all aspects of their job and provide excellence in patient care and treatment.
Dr Jennifer Armstrong, Medical Director at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: “I’m delighted to welcome our newly qualified doctors to the NHSGGC family. I know how hard they have worked to get to this stage, not least when their studies and placements were impacted by the pandemic.
“That experience will hold them in good stead as they continue their training and start working on the wards. They are the future of the NHS and a critical part of our teams providing safe care and treatment of our patients. They can be rightly proud of everything they’ve achieved.”
Dr Charlotte Greenslade, 28, from Bristol, is looking forward to bagging some Munros when she is not working in gastroenterology at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. Charlotte did her training in London and was called in as a vaccinator to assist during the pandemic.
She said: “It’s a real honour to be joining the NHSGGC team. I’ve always been interested in the way the body works and helping people. I wanted to have the knowledge to form a diagnosis and a treatment plan for patients.”
Charlotte describes working through COVID as an ‘eye opener. She added: “I’ve been vaccinating and feel proud to have been a part of that. When we enter medicine I don’t think it’s seen as a profession with a high risk of losing your life. The commitment of our frontline workers has given me an even greater respect for the profession.”
Dr Harry Earnshaw, 24, from Killinchy in rural Northern Ireland, completed his training in Dundee. He has similarly been inspired by the dedication seeing throughout the course of the pandemic. He said: “I’ve been amazed by the ability of the NHS to rise and meet the COVID-19 pandemic head on. It has inspired me to believe that change, innovation, and improvement are always possible despite the worst circumstances. As I move into the NHS workforce I am emboldened to be around people who can adapt and work as a team for the betterment of all.”
He added: “Medical school has been a long six years, and I am very glad to have succeeded thus far and to move on to working as a doctor on the wards. Moving to a new city and starting a new job have helped me rediscover a little joy as I continue on the great adventure that is life. I’ve been made to feel really welcome and I hope that I can meet the upcoming challenges with my best foot forward.”
After completing medical school, junior doctors have to complete a two-year foundation programme in both hospitals and primary care, where they experience multiple areas of practice. After these two years, they will decide their next steps as a doctor and may embark upon specialty training, core training or training as a GP.
Dr Lindsay Donaldson, Director of Medical Education at NHSGGC, said: “We are so pleased to welcome this latest cohort of doctors to the NHS. Throughout their time with us, they will be welcomed by their colleagues and supported with substantial training and professional development.
“Everything that they and we do is centred around delivering excellence in care for our patients and I have no doubt this group are more than up to the challenge.
“The pandemic has shown, once again, the incredible importance of the NHS and our new doctors will be at the frontline, delivering the very best in patient care.”
ENDS