Students from schools across the region considering a future in healthcare got to try their hands with surgical equipment during a visit to an operating theatre today (8 July).
The careers event took place at Weston Area Health NHS Trust, as part of a programme of work experience activities for students interested in the health industry.
Pupils at St Bedes, Gordano, Churchill Academy, Priory Community School and Worle Community School visited Weston General Hospital’s Day Case Unit operating theatre.
The students scrubbed up and donned surgical gowns to try their hands with theatre equipment. The students also spent time learning about how theatres work and how patients are cared for, and met health professionals to get an in-depth look at future surgical career possibilities.
Student Beth, aged 15, said: “I’ve learnt so much about theatre work, especially around health and safety. I want to be a children’s nurse, so having the opportunity to visit an operating theatre and learn all about it has been a great experience.”
Jayne Fitzgerald, Theatre Manager at the Trust said: “We’ve had some great feedback about our work experience programme – everyone seemed to enjoy it, especially being able to visit our operating theatre, from healthcare professionals and try out some of our surgical equipment.
“It’s brilliant to see so many students from the area showing an interest in medicine. There is a shortage of healthcare professionals coming from region, so work experience programmes like this can assist our local young people in becoming the healthcare professionals of the future and help to fill that gap.”