From 9–13 June, County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust proudly welcomed six enthusiastic sixth form students and their teacher from Queen Elizabeth High School, Hexham, for a week-long Career Start Scheme placement at University Hospital of North Durham.
As part of our Widening Participation Programme, the students had the opportunity to shadow teams across several departments, gaining valuable insight into the wide range of careers available in the NHS.
Their packed schedule included time in Pathology, Outpatients, Medical Physics, Pharmacy and Radiology - offering a unique chance to observe healthcare professionals in action and understand the essential roles behind the scenes of patient care.
The visit also included a workshop on interview skills, equipping the students with practical knowledge and confidence to support their next steps into higher education or healthcare careers.
Each student shared how much they enjoyed the experience, commenting on how much they learned from the variety of staff they encountered.
Their teacher, Rebecca Ruddick, praised the week, saying: “I want to thank all those involved in putting the week together. It has been a wonderful experience for all of our students.”
The visit was coordinated by Widening Participation Ambassador, Nikki Brodhurst, who extended her thanks to all the teams who helped make the placement a success: “A huge thank you to everyone involved. Without your support, this event would not have been possible.”
At County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, we remain committed to inspiring the next generation of NHS professionals, and are proud to support young people in exploring the many rewarding paths within healthcare.