Fifty-five budding medics got a taste of a career in medicine and
life as a medical student at a medical residential this week.
The Year 12 Seren Academy learners from across Wales spent three
days as medical undergrads at Cardiff University's
state-of-the-art medical facilities, attending practical clinical
sessions and interactive lectures. Living on campus like a real
undergraduate and learning clinical and communication skills from
practising doctors and experts
During the three days the potential medics got hands on
experience as a doctor during the ‘Hope Hospital' workshop. With
volunteers playing the part of patients the students, supported
by clinicians, were required to take their clinical history,
assess, and treat symptoms.
A further 15 Seren students attended the dentistry residential at
Wales' only Dental School at Cardiff University taking part in
dental workshops and getting firsthand experience in
dentistry.
The Seren Academy's residential courses are one part of the
programme of activity provided to its learners to build the
relevant skills, experience and expertise to apply for
competitive courses and universities.
Last year 166 learners from the Seren Academy went on to study
medicine or dentistry at leading Universities.
The Seren Academy is a fully funded Welsh Government initiative
to support the most able learners, regardless of socioeconomic
background, have the ambition, capability and curiosity to fulfil
their potential and excel in their future educational goals at
the highest level. Currently around 23,000 learners in years 8 to
13 are participating in Seren.
The Cabinet Secretary for Education, said:
“Seren has had tremendous success supporting the most able Welsh
students to reach their full potential. This is yet another
example of how the academy is inspiring the doctors and dentists
of the future to apply to the best degree courses.
“We will always need highly skilled medical professionals, and
this is a great way of not only highlighting the fantastic
facilities Welsh universities can offer students but also help
Welsh students get into rewarding careers in medicine,
irrespective of background”.
Chief Dental Officer, Andrew Dickenson, said:
“It was a privilege to welcome and chat to the prospective dental
students at Cardiff University School of Dentistry Summer School
this week. Good oral health is integral to everyone's overall
health and, as such, dentists are essential members of our
healthcare system.
"The Summer School will highlight that dentistry is a rewarding
career with opportunities to make a genuine contribution to our
populations health. Using the fantastic modern facilities at
Cardiff Dental Hospital will showcase how our future dentists are
being trained and stimulate their interest whilst preparing for
their university applications”.
Professor Rachel Errington, Deputy Head School of Medicine at
Cardiff University, said:
“As the host of Seren Academy, the staff and students at Cardiff
University's School of Medicine were excited to welcome learners
from across Wales to experience medical school. We were delighted
to be working with the Welsh Government on this project. The
residential course presented a fantastic opportunity to increase
the number of learners from Wales who go on to study Medicine. We
hope the experiences they have had encourages them to train and
work as doctors in Wales. We take immense pride in helping to
nurture and develop the next generation of clinicians.”
