Wirral doctor's seal of approval for hospital scheme (From Wirral Globe)
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Wirral doctor's seal of approval for hospital scheme
4:04pm Thursday 16th August 2012 in News
Dr Cassie Barrett
A WIRRAL doctor has given the seal of approval to a hospital scheme which aims to help teenagers decide their future careers in medicine.
In 2005, Dr Cassie Barrett attended the ‘Introduction to Medicine’ course known as ‘Intromed’ at Arrowe Park Hospital and as a consequence went on to become a qualified doctor in 2011 - working at the hospital.
The scheme - believed to be the only one of its kind in England - is run by Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust to support teenagers in their decision to become a doctor.
In total, 80 teenagers from schools across Wirral attended the latest Intromed course.
The course was introduced in 1997 by Consultant Radiologist Dr Joyce Magennis and has supported more than 1,200 students - many of whom have gone on to become qualified doctors.
The introductory programme focuses on Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation training, including baby resuscitation, choking and defibrillating people in the street.
The teenagers also experience a taste of what it is like to work in a busy A&E department, in theatre as well as on the wards and outpatient departments.
In addition, they gain an understanding of the type of work undertaken in the clinical skills laboratory where injection techniques are undertaken.
Dr Joyce Magennis, course organiser from Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Feedback on the courses has been extremely positive. The students get a glimpse of life as a doctor.
“The practical approach gives youngsters an opportunity to gain real life experience on how to save a person’s life. We have steered many teenagers who have gone on to become excellent doctors like Cassie.”
Dr Barrett added: “The Intromed course was a really good way of getting a taste of what it is like to work in a hospital. It can be very hard to get work experience in hospital - so this makes the scheme excellent.
“Originally I thought I wanted to be a paediatrician - working with children - but after the course it opened up other ideas and options for me to consider. I would recommend any teenager thinking about a career as a doctor to consider this course.”
