Journey of discovery begins for Oxfordshire's future medics

On the evening of Thursday 2 October 2025, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust held an event at the John Radcliffe Hospital entitled 'Discover routes into medicine'.

The in-person talk was aimed at local school students in Year 10 and above, who are exploring their options and thinking about their future careers.

Young people had an opportunity to meet doctors and medical students, experience a 'real-life' medical scenario and put their questions to an expert panel, as well as receiving advice about applying to study medicine and details of work experience options and alternative pathways into the field.

Oxford University Hospitals aims to provide guidance and experience for young people in and around Oxfordshire, who may not otherwise have considered a career in the NHS or healthcare. The goal is to widen participation through skills programmes and apprenticeships, and to improve access to opportunities, especially in areas and communities which have been under-represented previously.

This is done partly by building relationships with local organisations such as Enterprise Oxfordshire, schools, colleges, councils and charities which support young people from these communities.

Our after-school events have proved extremely popular with young people and their families, and are well-attended, with over 250 registering to attend on Thursday.

There are 50 different specialties to choose from for young people who are undertaking the training to be doctors.

Dr Rustam Rea, Consultant at the Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism (OCDEM), spoke briefly on the experience of practising medicine:

"Medicine is brilliant - it's a privilege being with people at the beginning and end of life, curing and caring for them, from intricate surgery to population health.

"There is also a need to listen - to patients and families, to colleagues and to the huge amount of research to make sure you practice the very best medicine possible."

Dr Gina Hadley, Clinical Fellow in Neurology, who attended the event, said:

"There are many routes to medicine and barriers can be overcome... it is important to train and retrain doctors as diverse as the people they treat. No question is silly when you are on your journey of deciding if medicine is for you."

Shilpa Bhatt, OUH Widening Participation and Schools Engagement Lead, said:

"It was great to see so many enthusiastic young people from local schools interested to find out about careers in medicine.

"The event comprised a mix of interactive activity, information from staff and students and a chance for participants to have their questions answered by experts.

"I feel sure the evening will have inspired many young people to consider careers in medicine, and the possibility of working within the NHS in the future."

Pictured: attendees take part in a 'real-life' medical scenario