Birmingham Surgeons visits local schools to improve health
Clinicians from Birmingham Children's Hospital have been reaching out to schools in the city in an effort to reduce hospital admissions and promote opportunities in the NHS.
The project, supported by the Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care System (BSol ICS), has placed clinicians in over 50 Birmingham primary and secondary schools to give talks about their specialisms and teach children about looking after their physical and mental health.
The project also promotes various opportunities in the NHS and has led to more students gaining healthcare experience in the West Midlands.
The talks, delivered by doctors, surgeons and clinicians from Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust (BWC), raise awareness of various health issues that could affect young people such as asthma, anger management, and hand injuries.
Dr Andrea Jester, Clinical Lead for the Children's Hospital's Hand and Upper Limb Service, has a one-hour offer to schools in Birmingham where she challenges students to consider managing their anger while showcasing a career as a hand surgeon.
Dr Jester said: "We have carried out a number of really successful talks to children about anger management, hand injuries and some misconceptions surrounding physical violence. Our talks aim to explore managing potentially violent situations and anger management techniques.
"We hope that by doing these talks, we not only help to reduce hospital admissions but also showcase opportunities in our NHS."
Dr Jester has visited nearly a dozen schools in Birmingham and shared her message with more than 500 students.
Amy Maclean, Development Lead (Maternity and Children) for the Ladywood & Perry Barr Locality Partnership, manages the school engagement project. She said: "Dr Jester and other clinicians are reaching out to schools to foster real relationships with the local community. These aren't just lessons, they are pathways into meaningful work experience in the NHS and impactful community projects."
Following these workshops, students have the opportunity to take part in Community Research Work Experience. Children in various schools have already carried out community research projects with the Trust on smoking, infant mortality, vaccinations, sickle cell disease and mental health stigma, all with the aim of reducing health inequalities in Birmingham.Reflecting on one of her talks, Dr Jester said: "Two students carried out community research work experience at our Trust looking at vaccination levels in Birmingham following my visit to their school.
"It was not only a really useful experience for them to gain confidence and skills, but it also gave us valuable insight into the topic."
These research projects offer students meaningful healthcare experience with direct support from a clinician. The work experience culminates in a presentation to NHS staff, helping to build confidence and professional contacts.
Amy explained: "These projects not only provide the NHS with vital insight, it also enables students to access fantastic work experiences and consider diverse healthcare careers."
Like Dr Jester, Dr Satish Rao, Chief Medical Officer at BWC, has also given talks to parents, teachers and students on Asthma awareness in schools and championed for all children with asthma to have an up-to-date Personalised Asthma Plan in school and at home.
Mr Liam McCarthy, Consultant Paediatric Urologist and Renal Transplant Surgeon, has given talks on organ donation in Birmingham schools, challenging students to consider sharing important messages of organ donation while showcasing a career as a transplant surgeon. Amy explained: "Thanks to these meaningful conversations, students learn to be active listeners and ‘community researchers’, giving us insight into health inequalities issues in Birmingham. They also learn what it’s like to work in BWC.
“Students in Birmingham don't necessarily have role models in healthcare but by hosting these engaging workshops, clinicians can become these role models and empowering young people to consider working in the NHS.
"We continue to work hard to make this project grow and bring even more specialisms into schools and create long-lasting links between students and healthcare professionals."