Next generation of Sunderland and South Tyneside doctors join the NHS
Doctors are beginning their working days with the NHS following their graduation from university.
“Life as a doctor takes dedication, but it is rewarding and we know the next two years will help them take the next steps of their career,” says an experienced doctor as they welcome the next generation.
South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust (STSFT) has welcomed 93 Foundation Year 1 (FY1) doctors to its hospitals and services.
Of these, 23 have completed their degrees at the University of Sunderland’s School of Medicine.
A further 22 who studied at Newcastle University’s School of Medicine are joining the Trust in this intake of FY1 doctors.
This means many joining STSFT will have already spent part of their five-year course gaining experience with the Trust or other NHS organisations across the region.
Those beginning their foundation years with STSFT will spend their next two years on a programme of placements with the Trust’s medicine, surgery and community services.
They will also spend time at Hopewood Park in Sunderland, which is run by Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust.
After this, they will move on to speciality training. This is where they decide on their interests and career plans. They can become GPs, which will take another three years of training or a consultant, which will need seven to 10 years of further training.
As they took their first step on their FY1 journey, they followed a day of welcome sessions.Dr Nigel Stout, who is a Consultant Physician with the Trust, led the introductions.
Dr Stout said: “We are delighted to see these graduates join us in this intake of Foundation Doctors.
“They have spent five years studying to get to this moment, building their knowledge, sharpening their skills and gaining practical experience. Now they will put that to use every day.
“Life as a doctor takes dedication, but it is rewarding and we know the next two years will help them take the next steps of their career.”
Francis Allen, 23, from St Albans in Hertfordshire.
He graduated from Newcastle University earlier this summer.
“I wanted to stay in the North East to train and I’d been here as a medical student, so I already know the Trust.
“I’m looking forward to using what I’ve learned in medical school, being part of the team and helping the people from Sunderland and South Tyneside.
“I’m most looking forward to my placements in different areas and I know I’m going to be based at South Tyneside District Hospital, so I’ll be getting to know that very well.
“One of the attractions of being in the North East is access to the great coastline and the National Park in Northumberland, there’s so much to do.”
Dr Shaz Wahid is the Trust’s Executive Medical Director. He is also Consultant Physician with a specialist interest in Diabetes and Endocrinology as well as Acute and General Medicine.
He said: “Starting your first days as a doctor is a proud time and we are pleased to see these graduates are setting out on the next stage of their career with us.
“Many of them will have already met or recognise some of those they will be working alongside on our wards or in our services.“Once again, many of those joining us come from the region’s universities. We are always keen to keep the skills of those who have trained in the North East here to help our patients and strengthen our Trust.
“We’re also delighted to welcome those who are making the move from outside the region and have decided to make this their home as they begin the next stage of their working life.”