News from The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital:

RJAH is officially a local education provider for the University of Chester’s new medical school, which welcomed its first cohort of students in September 2024.

As part of the new partnership, ten students from the Graduate Entry Medicine Programme visited the Trust for their first hospital-based clinical placement – an opportunity designed to introduce them to secondary care and working within the hospital environment.

The Graduate Entry Medicine (MBChB) Programme is a four-year course tailored for graduates with a previous degree who aspire to become doctors. The curriculum combines academic study in medical sciences with exposure to clinical settings, allowing students to develop practical skills and experiences.

At RJAH, the programme is led by Dr Sophie Shapter, Consultant Anaesthetist, and Mr Andrew Bing, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, who both serve as Clinical Subdeans of the School. They are supported by Clinical Placement Facilitators Sammy Joseph and Dawn Taylor.

Sophie said: “We were delighted to welcome the students to RJAH. During their placement they rotated across various departments across the hospital including the orthopaedic and specialist wards, Outpatients and Radiology.

“The placements are designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of hospital operations and the vital role of the multidisciplinary team (MDT) in patient care.

“A huge thank you goes to all staff members who supported these students and contributed to their learning experience – your enthusiasm and dedication was instrumental in helping the students build the knowledge and confidence they need as future doctors.”

Sammy added: “The clinical placement experience at RJAH for the first year Chester medical students was a resounding success. The students reported that the hands-on experience and exposure to real-world clinical practice, and the supportive environment made the placement both educational and enjoyable.”

Dawn said: “A big thank you to all staff and mentors who made this experience possible and helped create a positive learning atmosphere. Your dedication is truly appreciated, and we look forward to future placements and continued collaboration in shaping the next generation of medical professionals.”

Looking ahead, the partnership will continue to grow, with students returning in their second year for extended placements of three nine-week blocks in September, January and March, covering surgical, medical and specialist medicine.