Volunteering Connects to Future Medical Role

Volunteering within NHS Western Isles is a great way to gain experience, demonstrate commitment and develop key skills.  Aspiring medical student Verity Storrow, a 6th year Nicolson Institute pupil, has certainly found this to be true whilst undertaking a hands-on volunteering placement at Western Isles Hospital over the previous 12 months.

After being successfully recruited into the new role of Service Experience Feedback Volunteer, Verity had the unique opportunity to meet and support local patients, and their families, speaking with them about their healthcare experiences and obtaining feedback on what they felt was good about their experience and in addition, what they felt could be improved.

After talking to patients and their families in several hospital areas, including Surgical Ward, Medical Ward 1, Medical Ward 2 and the Ambulatory Care Unit, Verity found her role to be particularly important for those patients without family or friends supporting them, as well as with those who may not feel comfortable talking to a member of staff about any issues they were experiencing.

Denise Symington, Patient Focus Public Involvement Officer, said, “On behalf of NHS Western Isles, I would like to thank Verity for the time she has given to this role, and wish her every success in her chosen career. We hope to see her returning to NHS Western Isles as a Resident Doctor in the future.

“Overall, very positive feedback was returned on the care being received locally from patients and their families.  We were pleased to learn there were no themes identifying a need for change, with all feedback received being later reported to the appropriate wards.  In addition, staff support was particularly highlighted, which was gratefully appreciated and acknowledged by staff, and all feedback will be included within our next PFPI annual report.”

NHS Western Isles was delighted to learn that Verity has now been successful in her applications to university and has received one conditional and two unconditional acceptances. Her first choice to study medicine is at the University of St Andrews, followed by The University of Aberdeen or the University of Strathclyde.

Verity said, “I thoroughly enjoyed my time volunteering in NHS Western Isles and the added confidence this gave me in talking to patients and their families.  Work experience is an opportunity to develop and strengthen transferable skills that go beyond what you’ll learn at school or college. It can also help you discover what really matters to you as you make decisions about your future career.”

Due to the success of this volunteering role, the NHS Western Isles Volunteer Operational Group is expecting to readvertise this role soon. In addition, the group will continue to look at future volunteer roles to encourage more young people to think about volunteering, and how they can use this experience within their personal statements for their future university applications.

For further information about future NHS Western Isles Volunteering roles, please contact our Volunteering Services Manager, tel. 01851 704704 or visit: www.wihb.scot.nhs.uk/get-involved/volunteering/

Photo: Rev. TK Shadakshari, NHS Western Isles Lead Chaplain & Strategic Diversity Lead, presenting Volunteer Certificate to Verity Storrow.