Published on 5 November 2021
A doctor who completed work experience at the hospital where he now works is encouraging others to follow in his footsteps.
Oman Rai took part in the MedStart4U taster day and work experience programme when he was a student at the Harvey Grammar School in Folkestone, dreaming of a medical career.
Now that dream has come true and he works as a Medical Education fellow at the William Harvey Hospital. He returned to Kent after studying medicine at Newcastle University, and completing his foundation years at the hospital in Ashford and King’s College Hospital in London.
Oman said: “I knew from a young age I wanted to be a doctor and the MedStart4U programme caught my eye when I saw a poster for it at school.
“It gave me the opportunity to talk to medical students and junior doctors to find out what the training was really like, as well as to see some of the work that goes on in the hospital.
“The programme gave me the access and insight that would have been impossible otherwise and it helped me when I was working on my application for medical school.”
The work experience programme had to be paused during the coronavirus pandemic, although the Trust was able to run an online version in its place.
But staff are now inviting applications from pupils in Years 11 and 12 who are interested in joining taster days in March next year, which could lead to a week-long programme in April, shadowing doctors in hospital and general practice.
Susan Kennedy, the Trust’s associate director of medical education, said it offered a valuable opportunity to see what life was really like as a medical student and junior doctor.
She said: “Now we have the Kent and Medway Medical School, a career in medicine is more accessible to a lot of students because they can study without the expense of having to live away from home.
“England’s chief medical officer, Chris Whitty, recently released his annual report which focuses on health issues in our coastal communities. He identified a key solution was to encourage young people from coastal communities to consider training as doctors, and our programme gives them a taste of what that means and where it could lead.
“We’re delighted to offer this opportunity to Kent students and to be able to welcome them back face to face for an enjoyable, interactive taster day which will give them real insights into medicine and how to apply to medical school.
“We can also offer some week-long work experience placements which enable students to meet our teams and experience life in a busy acute hospital and in a GP surgery.”
Oman added: “Medicine is a hugely rewarding career and for me the MedStart4U programme really confirmed that it was what I wanted to do.
“It’s been a privilege to be part of the NHS during the pandemic and to be able to contribute during this most challenging of times.
“I’d recommend anyone who is thinking about a career as a doctor, either in hospitals or as a GP, to apply to the programme and take the first step towards making your own ambitions a reality.”
For more information on MedStart4U or to apply, visit http://meded.ekhuft.nhs.uk/resources/medstart4u/
For information on work experience for nursing, midwifery, allied health professionals and other roles, visit https://www.ekhuft.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/work-here/work-experience/
