Yorkshire medical students graduate early to aid NHS coronavirus frontline

Final-year medical students have joined the NHS as part of national Covid-19 response after graduating early from their universities.

The scale of the crisis and the pressure it is heaping on the already overstretched NHS has prompted students from the University of Sheffield, like many others across the country, to graduate earlier than usual to provide valuable support to NHS staff on the frontline.

Nearly 250 final-year students graduated as junior doctors during an online graduation yesterday (Tuesday April 28).

Famous Sheffield figures pitched in to help the student celebrate this momentous occasion. Local artist Pete McKee adapted his 'Frontline Warrior' print to congratulate the new doctors while Reverend and the Makers frontman Jon McClure sent a special video message and acoustic performance for the graduates.

The University of Sheffield’s vice-chancellor, Professor Koen Lamberts, thanked the junior doctors for their courage, commitment and compassion in stepping up to support the NHS and the country in its hour of need.

Professor Deborah Murdoch-Eaton, the dean of medical education, from the university, said: “They are collaborative, hard working and caring professionals, grounded by the principles of serving their community, and we are so fantastically proud of them at this time.”

They join student nurses and allied health professionals on placement from the University of Sheffield who have already volunteered to dedicate more time to working as NHS employees.

Philip Mitchell, 27, originally from Hampshire, is one of the final year medical students who graduated early.

He said: “I never envisaged I would graduate into a crisis such as this, but we’re in a privileged position to make a positive impact and to be able to help patients.

"We would all rather there was no pandemic at all, however any situation that pushes you beyond your comfort zone will grow your ability and confidence, and ultimately will equip us well going forward in our careers.”

Annie Evans, 24, from York, another final year medical student added: “We graduated into a situation that brings more demands and pressure, which is daunting, but so many doctors have come out to thank us and offer their support to help us through starting out that I hope I can give something back and bring staff together."

The students will take up positions in the NHS hospitals across Yorkshire including Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Dr Dyfrig Hughes, the director of assessment for Sheffield Medical School, will work with some of the graduates at Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, where he works as an accident and emergency (A&E) consultant.

He said the addition of the junior doctors will help us ease the pressure on frontline healthcare staff and release more experienced staff to focus on caring for the most unwell patients at this time.

“The students were really keen to get going and it’s heartening for staff to see how their commitment to caring really shows," Dr Hughes said.

"They'll be made to feel very welcome and supported as we all pull together during this unprecedented situation.”

Dr David Hughes, medical director for Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust added: “We are looking forward to having the new junior doctors working alongside us during this unprecedented time.

"I would like to thank all the medical, nursing and allied health professional students for their support and dedication to helping us provide the care our patients need.”

Professor Tim Chico, from at the university’s infection, immunity and cardiovascular disease department, is now working full time in his post as a consultant cardiologist at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, providing extra support to the NHS during this demanding time.

He said: “The first few weeks on the wards is a daunting but rewarding period for any doctor, especially in a crisis such as this, but we will learn together, share the load and find ways to de-stress after difficult periods.

"The amount of support shown for the NHS around the UK will be a huge boost to our new doctors and nursing staff starting their careers. We all know what we are doing is greatly appreciated right now."

In addition the junior doctors will be joined by a cohort of students from the university’s health sciences school, who answered a call from Health Education England to dedicate more of their clinical placement time to work as NHS employees during the pandemic.

Professor Tracey Moore, dean of the health sciences school at the University of Sheffield said: “I am so proud of those of our nursing students, trainee nursing associates and students from our allied health professional courses who were able to volunteer to support our NHS.

“Having more frontline staff such as nurses and doctors provides vital capacity for the NHS to maintain essential and compassionate care for all patients, at a time when more patients are being cared for. Their skills and hard work are of great value to the NHS.”

You can meet the University of Sheffield Class of 2020 doctors here.

Join our new coronavirus Facebook group for the latest confirmed news and advice as soon as we get it www.facebook.com/groups/yorkshirecoronavirus

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