ASPIRING doctors from every school in the Lothians are to receive inspiring insights from surgeons at the biggest ever “Getting into Medical School” event today.
The event, hosted by the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd), will offer over 125 students from state schools and private schools equal opportunity to learn more about enrolling on a degree in medicine.
Over 125 students will attend the symposium in Edinburgh to hear leading figures provide expert advice on how to secure a place – while also presenting the career paths available, as well as opportunities to speak with medical students, doctors and RCSEd CouncilMembers.
A number of surgeons will also showcase just how fulfilling a career as in surgery can be.
It comes after Scottish universities committed to increasing the number of places for Scottish-based students, understanding that they will be more likely to remain north of the border.
Zahid Raza, RCSEd Council Member and Consultant Vascular Surgeon at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, said: “With an aging population and uncertainty around bringing in talent from overseas, we simply must get it right with the next generation of medics.
“Surgery is just one option for those looking to studying medicine and we hope that today really acts to inspire.
“Sadly, it’s often the way that state school students are given far less advice and guidance when it comes to careers in medicine than their private school counterparts and we’re keen to do what we can to put an end to this imbalance.
“Yes it is an undeniably challenging career, but it is immensely rewarding and even life-affirming. You can improve, and even save, lives with your own hands.
“It is also incredibly diverse in what it can offer and we hope that by bringing a number of experts in from different fields, we can show just how exciting it can be.
“We’re delighted with the uptake. This is the fourth year we have hosted this event – and it is the earliest we have filled and surpassed the allocation. It’s really heartening to see the level of demand out there.”
The President of the RCSEd, Professor Michael Griffin, is very supportive of the event and hopes that it continues to grow from strength-to-strength, encouraging more young people into the profession with each year.
In addition, a number of pupils will travel from further afield, including Dunbar, Peebles, North Berwick and Glasgow.
The Getting into Medical School event will also be replicated in Birmingham on 7th September.
As the largest of the UK’s four surgical Colleges and a 27,000 strong membership across 100 countries worldwide, RCSEd provides training, examinations and development to medical professionals.
While headquartered in Edinburgh, the College has centres in Birmingham and Kuala Lumpur to serve growing UK and international memberships.
