Medical Students have stepped forward as volunteers to help support clinical teams across Walsall Manor Hospital to manage staffing challenges caused by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

A total of 49 third, fourth and fifth year students who are all on placement with Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust have offered their help.

Mark Baker, who is Lead Student for fifth Year AIP (Acutely Ill Patients) students, was part of the support effort during the first wave of the pandemic.

He said: “We will be assisting Junior Doctors across the wards to help out in whatever way we can with clerking patients, writing up discharge letters – anything we can do to lighten the load while the Trust, like so many others, is in need right now.”

Alyaa Mostafa is among those who are volunteering. She said: “I want to give something back because my training experience here has been so good.”

Simon Harlin, Deputy Medical Director at the Trust said medical students’ help had been “invaluable” earlier in the pandemic.

“We had such positive feedback from the teams that they supported as well as our patients and it is fantastic to see such a willingness and enthusiasm once again,” he said. “Many have echoed Alyaa’s sentiment about wanting to give back to the Trust and they are shining examples of colleagues who are living our values.”

Andy Tams Undergraduate Medical Education Manager, added: “I’m very proud of all of our students, especially the student volunteer workforce.

“I hope this makes a difference to our clinical areas during these difficult times.  A special thank you must go to Mark Baker for his assistance and experience as a previous student volunteer which has helped launch the project. More student volunteers are always welcome and we also thank Birmingham Medical School for its support.”