Inspiring the next generation of healthcare professionals

Local teens have experienced what being a doctor is like through a summer school at University Hospital Southampton (UHS).

The two-day course was run by Southampton’s LifeLab programme. It was attended by pupils from 25 schools across Hampshire and Dorset.

LifeLab is a unique research-based educational programme. It empowers children and young people to understand the science behind their health.

The programme is a collaboration between the University of Southampton, NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre and UHS.

It is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.

Gaining experience

Pupils practiced clinical skills such as venesection, cannulation, suturing, blood pressure and urine testing.

They were also given a tour of the NIHR Southampton Clinical Research Facility. This is an extensive, dedicated space for early-stage clinical research. It is where our volunteers come to take part in research trials and studies.

Kate Bartlett, Developing Talent Lead for LifeLab, said:

“We were delighted to see so many pupils take part in our medical summer school. There is a shortage of clinical staff across our country, so it is vital to give young people valuable experience of what a role in healthcare could be like.”

‘A brilliant course’

Leona Birchenough’s daughter, Paige, took part in the course. It has helped her decide on a career in medicine. Leona added: “[there was] so much good information for her. It’s a brilliant course.”

The pupils experienced anatomy teaching in labs and spoke to current medical students about what it’s like to study medicine.

They also heard from Dr Laura Croucher, a Paediatric Registrar in Dorset, about working in the NHS.

More than 15,000 students have visited the LifeLab facility at Southampton General Hospital from over 100 schools. Visit the LifeLab website to find out more.