Around 250 University of Sheffield final year medical students have graduated early as junior doctors in order to start working for the NHS during the current pandemic
Students from the class of 2020 at the University of Sheffield Medical School, have graduated early and are now recognised as junior doctors months ahead of schedule, so that they can join the NHS efforts against the coronavirus.
The medical students were keen to graduate early so that they could help support the NHS as qualified clinicians working on the front-line against the COVID-19 pandemic.
These newly qualified doctors from the University of Sheffield, will join student nurses and allied health professionals who are currently on placement from the University, who have volunteered even more of their time to working as NHS employees in this time of global crisis.
This news comes after Breaking News Today have previously reported that 25% of NHS Doctors are reportedly unable to work due to being off sick or in isolation due to COVID-19.
Professor Deborah Murdoch-Eaton has praised the recent graduates for embodying what it is to be a Sheffield medical student:
“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.”
Philip Mitchell, 27, the President of the University’s Medical Society and one of the final year medical students who graduated early has said:
“It is still sinking in that we graduated early. It’s gone so quickly, going from finishing our final placement, to then be told we would be qualified as a junior doctor. We know we’re ready – we’ve been supported to do this.
“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.”
Dr Dyfrig Hughes, the Director of Assessment for Sheffield Medical School and an A&E Consultant, will work alongside some of those who graduated early at Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
He said: “To have a cohort of junior doctors able to boost our numbers, especially in this time of need, 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. They’ll be made to feel very welcome and supported as we all pull together during this unprecedented situation.”
This is welcome news for many in the UK and for many NHS workers feeling the stress of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic on the front-lines.
However, these new junior doctors may not just be working to fight the coronavirus though, as at yesterday’s daily coronavirus press conference, the Health Secretary, Matt Hancock announced that from today, the NHS will begin restoring other services, this will begin with cancer care and mental health support, saying that: “The NHS is open, help us help you”.
