Junior docs join the RAH frontline

A team of junior doctors have started their medical careers early as they join Royal Alexandra Hospital staff in the fight against Covid-19.

All have volunteered to join the frontline and will be supported by their colleagues, supervisors, mentors and a peer buddy system.

They will work in surgery, medicine and care of the elderly and will likely be treating patients with suspected and confirmed coronavirus.

The 121 junior doctors will be placed across Glasgow Royal In f i rmary, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Royal Alexandra Hospital and Inverclyde Royal Hospital.

A new post was created – foundation intermediate year – for these individuals to start months earlier, as this group was supposed to be starting work in August. The majority of these doctors have completed their studies with the University of Glasgow.

Dr Lindsay Donaldson, director of medical education at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, has collaborated with the university and NHS Education for Scotland on the recruitment of these new junior doctors as part of the board’s response to Covid-19.

She said: “We’ve been overwhelmed by the enthusiasm and dedication of this group of junior doctors that are joining us early in their medical career. We look forward to welcoming them to the teams and providing them with as much support as possible as we all work together against Covid-19.”

Dr Jennifer Armstrong, medical director at the health board, said: “We want to thank this group of junior doctors for starting their careers early with us at such a pivotal moment. They will be a huge help to our hospitals and this is greatly appreciated by colleagues who will support them every step of the way.”