HUNDREDS of new junior doctors are set to take to the wards across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde this week.

Some 489 newly qualified doctors are embarking on the next chapter of their medical careers.

The first-year foundation doctors are taking part in organisational, departmental and online inductions before embarking on their rotations across hospital departments to learn all aspects of their job.

Dr Joe Kirkpatrick is looking forward to working on the wards and helping patients.

Glasgow Times: Dr Joe Kirkpatrick Dr Joe Kirkpatrick

Dr Kirkpatrick, who studied at the University of Edinburgh, is interested in paediatric, psychiatry and general practice specialities, and is looking forward to "feeling more confident as a doctor and helping to make effective decisions".

His colleague, Dr Joseph Jameson is a new junior doctor currently shadowing on a respiratory ward and studied at the University of Bristol.

Glasgow Times: Dr Joseph Jameson Dr Joseph Jameson

Dr Jameson is hoping to specialise in psychiatry and cannot wait to ‘overcome first-day fears and get stuck in on the wards’ to provide the very best in patient-centred care.

They are both going to be based at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary in the general medicine wards for their first rotation.

After completing medical school, junior doctors have to complete a two-year foundation programme in both hospital and primary care, where they experience multiple areas of practice.

After these two years, they will decide their next steps as a doctor.

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Dr Lindsay Donaldson, director of medical education at NHSGGC, added “I’m delighted to welcome our newly qualified doctors to the NHSGGC family.

"I know how hard they have worked to get to this stage, not least when their studies were impacted by the pandemic.

“That experience will hold them in good stead as they continue their training and start working on the wards.

"They are the future of the NHS and a critical part of our teams providing safe care and treatment of our patients.

"They can be rightly proud of everything they’ve achieved.”

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Dr Jennifer Armstrong, medical director at NHSGGC, said: “Every new doctor joining the NHS has a key role in shaping our recovery post-pandemic.

"They are the next generation of highly skilled, medical professionals who will provide the very best in patient-centred care for the people and communities they serve.

"I’m delighted that they have chosen to join us, as they embark on the next chapter of their careers and I have no doubt they will receive a very warm welcome on the wards from both our teams and patients.”