Finding out what life is like on the wards of a busy hospital is Reigate Grammar School student and volunteer Charlotte Robinson.
The 17 year old from Salfords has been working on Woodland Ward at East Surrey Hospital for six months, gaining hands on experience before she applies to medical school.
Charlotte said: “Before I came here I had no idea how a hospital ran – the variety of different jobs and departments and how the staff all work together. I have really enjoyed working with everyone on the ward and meeting the patients. It’s been such a great experience and I now want to go on to become a hospital doctor.”
Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, which runs the hospital, has been running the student volunteer scheme for nine years and there is a lot of competition for the ten places available each year. Students who are interested for this year should apply before the August 31 deadline. Interviews take place in early autumn and the successful applicants will start in November.
Maris Codling, voluntary services manager, said the Trust felt it had an important role to play in helping young people become the health professionals of the future.
She said: “The selection process for the students is very thorough and we make sure they are mature, committed and reliable. They also have to understand the values of the Trust and the importance of supporting our staff and helping to improve the experience of the people we care for.”
It’s not just students who give up their time and volunteer, another 200 people can be found helping in many areas of the hospital including wards and clinics, the Patient Advisory Liason Service, trolley services, the emergency department and paedeatric emergency department.
If you are interested in volunteering you can find more information on our website at www.surreyandsussex.nhs.uk or contact Maris on 01737 231719 ext 1719 or by e mail maris.codling@sash.nhs.uk.
