Budding medics treated to radiotherapy taster

Budding medics in Solihull were treated to a virtual radiotherapy taster session, hosted by academics at the University of Liverpool.

Students as part of Solihull Sixth Form College were offered the taster as part of the college's the Pre-Medical School, an enrichment option offered at the college that allows students who are hoping to apply to study Medicine at university to explore many areas of the medical profession.

This normally involves trips and visits to Higher Education institutions and medical settings, but because of the pandemic these events have had to move online.

This event began with an explanation from university lecturer Pete Bridge of how radiotherapy is used to treat cancer.

He then addressed questions to a panel of experts, which included a clinical radiographer, a lecturer at the university and a third-year student on the radiotherapy course.

The question and answer session as part of the event gave attending students the opportunity to not only find out about the Radiotherapy course at the University of Liverpool, but also to find out what it is like to work as a radiographer in a hospital.

Assistant principal Trevor Irving is heavily involved in running the Pre-Medical School enrichment programme.

He commented: "We have taken groups of students to Liverpool to attend Radiotherapy taster days for a number of years and it's always provided an outstanding insight into this specialism.

"It's such a shame that the pandemic has prevented that from happening this year, but we are extremely grateful to the University of Liverpool for delivering an online version of the event. As a Russell Group university, they are a highly regarded institution and this is an excellent course."

Pictured: Students taking part in the taster session