Student medics share their stories from the Covid-19 frontline

University of Bristol student medics have joined the front line of the fight against Covid-19 to help in any way they can before they graduate.

They have spoken about how they will look back with pride at being able to support their “inspirational” NHS colleagues, and the invaluable experience they are gaining.

The university has 282 fifth year students working on the front line, with those in other years working as health care assistants or volunteering in various roles.

Fifth year student Chanelle Smith, 22, is currently working in critical care at Gloucester Royal Hospital.

“I’m reminded every day of how lucky we are to have this healthcare system. It’s remarkable hearing all these stories of healthcare workers going above and beyond to protect other people. They’ve demonstrated such bravery and courage. It’s really an honour to be part of this profession.

“There’s a balance we need to strike between wanting to support the frontline staff and putting our own safety at risk. My role has been supporting junior doctors in any way that I can – that involves writing discharge summaries, taking bloods, making phone calls.

“Sometimes you feel these small jobs aren’t making a difference, but they are really appreciating having us around. I’m truly grateful to be doing it.

“This experience has invigorated me. Despite everything I’m really looking forward to graduating and working on the front line. I’m so proud of the NHS. The pandemic has shown us all how resilient we can be. We will get through this.”

Chanelle Smith is working in critical care at Gloucester Royal Hospital. Photo: Chanelle Smth

Having worked in Gloucester and Weston-super-Mare, fifth year student Khadijah Ginwalla, 22, is now at the Bristol Royal Infirmary and coming into contact with many suspected Covid-19 patients.

“Each of the hospitals are doing their absolute best and the staff are working their absolute hardest to ensure patients are still receiving a really high quality of care.

“When the pandemic hit I was very anxious. There are lots of vulnerable adults in my family and I was worried about working in the hospital and putting them at risk. I still have that same anxiety. At the same time, I want to do what I can to help out.

“As final years we’re a useful pair of hands. We aren’t doing anywhere as much as the real heroes on the front line, but we can do as much as our skill set allows to release the burden on other team members.

“Being a student in these really challenging times will hopefully equip us with the skills to be really good doctors. The really difficult thing is seeing patients similar to yourself or you really identify with and they’re in critical care and really fighting for life.

“One thing I struggle with is the disconnect the general public have. They’re protected from seeing the reality of what goes on in the hospitals if they haven’t personally been affected by the virus. That really allows misinformation and myths and conspiracy theories to run rife.

“If people really saw what happens I think their outlook would be very different.”

Fourth year student Jack McAlinden, 23, is the president of the university’s medical student society. He is currently on placement at St Michael’s Hospital.

Both of his parents are doctors and he has wanted to follow in their footsteps since he was in primary school.

“There are 280 fifth year students graduating as doctors in August. That’s the best thing we can do for the NHS at the moment – passing on time, so the supply doesn’t dry up in a few years’ time.

“On the whole the mood is let’s get on with it and do what we can. It’s something we’ll look back with on pride, we were part of the efforts at the time. There’s also appreciation that the people working as doctors, nurses, physios, occupational therapists, receptionists, they don’t get a choice in it. They have to keep going.”

Jack McAlinden is on placement at St Michael’s Hospital. Photo: Lowie Trevena

Jack adds: “Compared to a lot of students, our experience is kind of normal. The challenging bit is being in a system that’s exhausted. There hasn’t been a break for anyone in the NHS since last March. There’s a sense of fatigue. The impact on mental health is massive.

“For the students studying there’s a part of that. The sense of collectivity is really inspiring.  There’s also the risk of being around Covid.  I do have hope. I’d encourage people to get the vaccination when they can.

“The end is in sight. It’s been a horrible, weird year we’ve collectively gone through. Everything we’ve missed is so close now. It’s just that last push of following the rules that will get us through. This is the last little hurdle we have to get over.”

Stephen Sumner is a local democracy reporter for North Somerset.

Main photo of Jack McAliden: Jack McAliden

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