BCHC celebrates partnership with Aston Medical School
BCHC marked its partnership with Aston Medical School with a ceremony to celebrate the Trust's ongoing commitment to medical education.
Ceremonies took place at Moseley Hall Hospital and West Midlands Rehabilitation Centre, where plaques were unveiled to recognise our growing teaching relationship.
The Trust was delighted to welcome Dr Shagaf Bakour, the university's Director of Medical Education, as special guest for the occasion.
BCHC's journey with Aston Medical School began in 2019, when planning started for the delivery of the new Aston medical student programme.
This marked the beginning of a new chapter for the Trust, involving significant preparation, collaboration and the development of new teaching approaches.
The first cohort of Aston medical students arrived in October 2021, with COVID-19 restrictions still in place. BCHC would like to extend our sincere thanks to Dr Sophie Carter, our former Director of Medical Education, who led this work from the outset and played a pivotal role in establishing the partnership.
Since then, the medical education team, working closely with colleagues at Aston Medical School, has been on a steep learning curve. Together, they have successfully implemented the curriculum and introduced students to BCHC's innovative and busy community services.
Students gain first-hand experience of the vital role community hospitals play in patient recovery and rehabilitation, supporting people to return home safely. They also learn how community-based teams deliver care that helps patients remain well and avoid unnecessary hospital admissions.
A particularly valued aspect of the programme is enabling students to take part in home visits with clinical teams, offering a valuable insight into community healthcare in practice.
The success of the programme is made possible by the dedication of staff across the Trust. Clinical teams and administrative colleagues work tirelessly to support successive groups of students as they rotate through placements every six weeks, ensuring a high-quality learning experience throughout.
Speaking at the event, BCHC chief executive Richard Kirby said: “I am delighted to celebrate our partnership with Aston Medical School.
"It is important because it helps us ensure that the next generation of medical professionals understand community-based healthcare but also because Aston share our commitment to promoting equity, which is a hallmark of the way they have approached recruitment to medical school places. Thank you very much to everyone who has made this happen”.
Dr Sophie Carter, BCHC'S former Director of Medical Education said: "BCHC values the fresh perspective and renewed focus on medical education that this partnership has brought to the Trust. Looking ahead, the Trust is proud to continue inspiring future doctors to consider careers in community medicine, including general practice, geriatrics, rehabilitation and community paediatrics.
"The Trust looks forward to continuing its strong relationship with Aston Medical School and working together to shape the future of healthcare education and the NHS workforce."