Pupils take a sample of life as a medic

MEDICAL students from Sheffield University visited secondary schools in the city last week equipped with dummies, stethoscopes and practice injection equipment to introduce pupils to life as a medic.

A total of 12 students took part in sessions over three days.

A spokesman for the university added that the visits were also designed to “raise the aspirations of the pupils and encourage them to think about their future careers”.

The spokesman said: “The pupils were given the opportunity to practice giving an injection into a dummy and learn CPR, as well as taking part in a body parts challenge and some medical quizzes. They also had the opportunity to talk to the medical students about life at university and the different routes into a career in medicine.”

Helena Smallwood, a fourth-year medical student who helped to organise the visits, said: “Medical Outreach hopes to give Year 8 pupils a taste of life as a medical student and doctor by allowing them to have a go at various clinical skills during our visit to the school.

“We also hope that it will raise aspirations of children who may not have considered medicine and health care as a career before.”