First doctors graduate from new part-time course

A group of medical students have become the first cohort of doctors to qualify by studying part-time.

The new graduates formally secured their qualification at the University of Edinburgh after completing the HCP-Med for Healthcare Professionals course.

Set up in 2018, the five-year scheme encourages professionals in other areas of healthcare to consider studying to become doctors.

It has a strong emphasis on GP placements in the hope of boosting the numbers of general practitioners entering Scotland's NHS.

The university said it was "proud" to be the first to produce graduates, numbering 20 in total, from the course.

Designed to address the increasing demand on the healthcare workforce, the programme was launched with the aim of offering increased flexibility.

Existing health workers such as nursing staff, clinical scientists and veterinary surgeons could continue to work while studying.

The undergraduate programme - run by the University of Edinburgh's Medical School - is the first of its kind in the UK.

The first three years is conducted part-time and predominantly online.

Alongside the part-time study, students also receive full funding from the Scottish Funding Council making it an attractive route to retrain those already working in healthcare.

After completing their remote studies, students then join the university's full-time undergraduate medical programme for the final two years, undertaking a range of clinical placements in hospital wards and GP practice.

Another issue it addresses is underrepresentation from students from rural areas and less advantaged backgrounds.

The university said aiming the programme at experienced professionals opened up a key avenue to people who had not previously considered a career as a doctor.

Calum MacDonald is a graduate from the first cohort of the HCP-Med programme, having started his career as a staff nurse in an intensive care unit in Glasgow.

His experience in ICU and subsequent training to become an advanced critical care practitioner – a role he has held since 2016 – led him to consider a career as a doctor.

The programme allowed Dr MacDonald to stay in Glasgow and juggle work and part-time study, while also managing family life after he became a father in his second year.

Now a newly qualified doctor, he has secured a foundation post in Glasgow and will rotate across seven specialties.

Following the two-year foundation programme, Dr MacDonald is considering specialising in anaesthetics or general practice.

Speaking after the ceremony at the McEwan Hall, he said: "It's been a challenging but incredibly rewarding journey.

"Being able to continue working as a nurse while studying medicine was a huge financial incentive.

"I am delighted to be graduating today and am excited to start my placement as a junior doctor in Glasgow."

Dr Jen Kennedy, the HCP-MED programme director, said: "We have lots of incredibly talented people working within the NHS in Scotland who may have missed the traditional route to become doctors.

"By creating this new pathway and widening access to medical degrees, we are able to nurture their talent and use their valuable experience to enhance the healthcare workforce".

Prof David Kluth, head of Edinburgh Medical School, said he as proud that Edinburgh was the first university in the UK to offer the programme.

He added: "The students on this programme bring with them a rich diversity of backgrounds, experiences and skills - from prior careers to lived experience of the communities they will serve.

"This breadth of talent and perspective is vital in building a more inclusive, adaptable, and effective medical workforce for Scotland."