Eight medical students enjoy Easter elective experience

A record eight medical students are learning from the island’s medical specialists this Easter during their seven-week elective placements, which began in mid-March. 

The Medical Specialist Group stepped in earlier this year to provide additional electives for UK medical students who were struggling to find a hospital to carry out their training due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Electives are essential for students to see how their learning is applied in real situations.  

In previous years, fewer than ten electives have been arranged each year, but this year at least 25 students will be accommodated, and this is the first time there have been eight at the same time. 

The students have chosen to do their electives in surgery, anaesthetics/intensive care, paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, and general medicine. 

They include three who were inspired to apply by their fellow Leicester University student and Guernsey man, Josh Datta. 

Josh, 25, says of his elective in paediatrics, ‘Everyone was very welcoming and generous with their time. I had been on placement in the PEH before for work experience, but it was interesting coming back after completing my studies in the UK with the knowledge that I have now.  

‘The team at the MSG have been very accommodating and it was very easy to organise. I recommend a Guernsey elective to anyone who asks.’ 

Karan Gour, 24, who comes from Birmingham, says, ‘I have had a brilliant time on my elective in surgery. The teams in the MSG and the PEH have been very friendly, helpful and have really enabled me to have a positive learning experience. Guernsey is a fun-filled island and there is a lot to explore and enjoy outside the hospital too.’ 

Toby Austin, 24, from Hereford, adds that he has learned a lot during his elective with the anaesthetic and ICU team.   

He explains, ‘I have worked closely with consultants one to one, who were all very keen to teach, gaining many opportunities to undertake practical skills, lots of which you do not get to do in larger UK teaching hospitals.  

‘We have been able to do numerous activities outside of hospital life such as cycling, fishing and even swimming which was rather cold…” 

Max Roberts, 25, from Bedford, is enjoying his psychiatry elective which was organised by HSC.  

He says, ‘Everyone, from the doctors to the social workers to the psychologists, has been so welcoming and allowed me to gain great insight into how mental health services are run in Guernsey. A final year elective in Guernsey is something I would honestly recommend to anyone as I learned so much and had such a wonderful time.’ 

Any students interested in undertaking a medical elective with the MSG should email info@msg.gg.