How graduate doctors are ready to care for patients

Published on 1, August, 2024

More new doctors than ever before have been welcomed by hospital leaders as graduates from the University of Sunderland get ready to set out on the next stage of their training.

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust has added 93 doctors to its Foundation Programme training, 18 more than previous years.

Six of them join from the University of Sunderland’s School of Medicine, which this summer produced its first graduates following its launch in 2019.

In August 2025, the School will allow the Trust to expand its foundation training places even further, with 36 to work and train on its wards and in the specialities it delivers.

Foundation training takes two years. Each doctor will spend time working in medicine, surgery and in community placements. Following this, they will progress to speciality training. Depending on their interests and career development plans, they could potentially become GPs or consultants.

The increase in number of first year foundation doctors – known as F1s – this year means the Trust can expand its Out of Hours services. This means shift cover in the evenings, nights and weekends will increase by up to a third in some specialities.

It also means more doctors will be working on its medical wards and will allow an introduction of doctors to newly established wards, such as the renal ward at South Tyneside District Hospital.

Surena Sahota, from Washington, is among those joining the Trust following her graduation from the University.

She said: “It is such a privilege to now join Trust as a new F1 doctor graduating from the first cohort of the University of Sunderland’s medical school.

“I’m very excited to embark on this new journey within such a welcoming and supportive Trust. I’ve spent time here as a medical student and had an amazing experience and wanted to continue my training here. 

“I’m looking forward to having younger cohort medical students from the university and reciprocating this positive training and education experience for them. 

“Also, the opportunity as a born and raised local to remain and help the community is such an honour.”

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Before they set out on their first placements, the newcomers spent a day being welcomed to the NHS at an induction event. This was held at Sunderland Royal Hospital’s Education centre.

The programme included a welcome address by Dr Nigel Stout, who leads the Trust’s Foundation Programme faculty, and Dr Sid Ahmed, its Clinical Director of Medical Specialities.

They were given tips and hints from other doctors, training and given a rundown of the wellbeing support available.

They will now set out on four days of shadowing departments as they are introduced to their new role.

The Foundation doctors are supported by the Trust’s Foundation Programme faculty.

Dr Stout said: “We are delighted to welcome these new doctors here to our Trust as they set out on the next stage of their training.

“We offer a special welcome to those who have graduated from the University of Sunderland’s School of Medicine. The creation of this alone has allowed us to expand the number of foundation places we offer and this will grow as the years progress and greater numbers of students graduate.

“Our programme is open to any graduates across the country, so we are proud to know that we have not only attracted new doctors to our region, but those who have started their careers here want to develop their skills with us.”

Dr Shaz Wahid is the Trust’s Executive Medical Director and has been among those to teach the Sunderland’s students. He was on hand to welcome all the new Foundation doctors on their first day.

He said: “I’m so proud to see these new doctors here today as they take the next step of their careers with us.

“I’ve already worked closely with several during their studies and our investment into the School of Medicine right here in Sunderland is now paying off as we see some of the graduates join us.

“Many of those who studied in the region will be returning to our wards and specialities after spending time with us on placements as students, which is a fantastic endorsement of our teams and the services we offer.

“Now their learning takes a step forward as they deliver care to our patients, who are the best trainers to have. I know our teams will be alongside them as they develop their skills and knowledge.”

Professor Scott Wilkes, Head of School of Medicine at the University of Sunderland and Professor of General Practice and Primary Care, said:  "It’s a very proud moment for us at the medical school seeing our first cohort begin their medical careers in our local hospital trust. 

"I am so pleased that we have delivered on the expectation that our students will work where they train, one of our aims. 

“This is great news for Sunderland and indeed the wider north-east."

To find out more about studying Medicine at the University of Sunderland, click here.