Glenn Russell - Medical DirectorSteven Colfar - Deputy Head of L&D

Widening Participation:

Implementation of an

Access to Medicine

Programme at LHCH

Key Drivers

What would be the most powerful driver to you?

•Helping the Trust deliver on its Corporate Social Responsibility Agenda?

Or

•Knowing you can make a difference to support a young adult’s key life choices?

Steps to development

• Finding a shared passion and commitment to make a difference within the Trust

• Seek to Understand!

What is the perceived challenge faced by local schools and colleges in supporting their students wishing to pursue a career in medicine?

In the absence of having connections to a close family member or friend in

medicine, how would an individual student know the early steps to make to

prepare for their career?

How do we go about tackling the range of socioeconomic and geographical

inequalities identified?

Key Benefits vs. Challenges

Benefits

• Making a difference!

• Creating enthusiasm and motivation amongst our staff

• Support for the Trust Volunteer Scheme

• Developing close partnerships with local schools

• Trust Reputation

Challenges

• No Model to follow

• Competing challenges in supporting full range of interprofessional students

• Positive discrimination??

• Not covered within any student tariff arrangements

• Takes high level of personal time

• Difficulties in saying NO

(not just students put parents too!)

2011 - Start of the Journey

Full application and selection process including preliminary interview

Adapted Trust Induction Programme

Attendance at short Access to Medicine Course

Sign up to Trust Volunteer Scheme (If required)

Allocation of Consultant Mentor

Individual placement plan agreed between Consultant and Student

Shadowing of Consultant or named Doctor through a range of clinical areas inc. theatres, catheter labs, ward reviews, outpatient consultations and our integrated community services

Support with statement writing

Final mock interview and evaluation

Main Elements of Programme

From strength to strength!

In 2012-13 capacity increased to 30 students and the catchment area was widened to include all of Merseyside, Cheshire and North Wales

In 2013 – 14 the number of students has increased to 37 with more Consultant Mentor’s agreeing to support the programme.

Agreement to conduct an evaluation of the programme in support of the widening participation agenda

Access to Medicine 2013

Feedback

“My placement was an enlightening

experience into the day to day workings of

a tertiary care centre, and the daily

routines of consultant surgeons. My

experience was very close up and I got the

chance to see many things I wouldn't have

had a chance to see without the

programme, such as lobectomy operations

and heart valve replacements, which

furthered my interest into studying

medicine at university.“ Joe Delahunty,

Access to Medicine, July 2013

“I found the access to medicine programme invaluable in giving me a greater insight into the very specialised area of medicine the Heart and Chest hospital provides. The programme opened my eyes to the research side of medicine as I was able to see the HEAT trial in progress and learn about denominators and the importance of randomisation.” Andrew Whitfield, Access to Medicine, July 2013

"As a hopeful prospective medical student I never

imagined I'd be given the chance to watch open heart

surgery or witness the difficult breaking of bad news in

the rapid access cancer clinic. My week shadowing a

consultant in LHCH gave me a fantastic insight into the

many roles of a doctor, inspiring and motivating me to

pursue my vocation.“ – Anna Sewell, Access to

Medicine, July 2013

Work experience at the Heart and Chest Hospital has been fully worthwhile. I had a fantastic time learning about the heart in

surgery and in the community. It was rewarding and made me convinced Medicine was for me. – Danielle Flynn, Access to Medicine, July

2013