20 August 2009
Epsom, Sutton and St Helier hospitals welcomed 150 new recruits this week, as the newly graduated junior doctors arrived for their first day at work.
The new doctors, who will be working across the three hospitals, went to work on the wards following a week long induction. And over the coming year, the Trust will teach them all they need to know as they become the UK's next generation of doctors, surgeons and consultants.
One of the new doctors, Natalie Watson said: "It was a little bit daunting, but after six years in medical school, it's something I was ready for! It is a bit surreal to finally be a doctor, but I'm really enjoying it.
"The induction week really prepared us for what was ahead, and so when we arrived on our first day, we already felt that we are a part of the team. Everyone around us has been really supportive and very friendly."
In their first year, the foundation doctors will do three rotations, meaning that the departments they are working with will change and they experience different aspects of clinical care. Natalie is currently based in vascular surgery. After that, she'll move to care of the elderly and then on to gastroenterology.
As well as receiving vital hands-on experience, the new doctors will attend a raft of training courses, including those aimed at further improving the way that they communicate with patients and their relatives.
Speaking at the end of her first week, Natalie said: "It's been a long week, but I'm feeling really sprightly. I look forward to coming to work every day, so that really helps."
The new doctors will help the Trust to deal with new rules about how many hours people can work for per week. The European Working Time Directive states that people can only work for 48 hours, and now, with such a boost to doctor numbers, the Trust is well prepared to meet the new law.
Dr Jonathan Kwan, the Medical Director for the Trust, said: "As a university hospital trust, we train the doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals of the future. With expert training and, under the watchful eye of more senior doctors, the juniors will put the theory they have learn at medical school into practice.
"Having such a large number of foundation doctors joining our hospitals is great news. It's a very healthy number, and it goes to show that the Trust is a great place to work with a lot to offer to staff members.
"We would like to say a warm welcome to the new doctors and really hope they enjoy working and learning at our hospitals."
