News from Imperial: LKCMedicine students return to Imperial for elective placements

By Roxy Hughes, Collaborative Partnerships Officer, Imperial College London

On 30^, August, 25 final year LKCMedicine students arrived at Imperial College London’s South Kensington campus to begin their induction activities ahead of their elective placements in London. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this is the first time the programme has been able to run since the summer of 2019. The students are pictured below in front of Imperial’s iconic Queen’s Tower, built to mark Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee in 1887.

The following day, the students were welcomed to Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, which is one of the top ranked and top performing Trusts in the UK. The six-week programme comprised two placements in different specialties, including Surgery, Neurology, Acute Assessment Unit and Infectious Diseases. 

Students were introduced to the new Academic Lead for Collaborative Partnership Placements, Dr Brent Bartholomew, who is a Consultant in the Acute Assessment Unit. Throughout the programme, Dr Bartholomew organised additional learning opportunities for the LKCMedicine students in the hospitals, including clinical tutorials and research activities using the HoloLens. Halfway through the programme, students were invited to share feedback on their experiences over lunch at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. 

During the final week of the programme, the students attended a final feedback session and a farewell reception at Imperial’s elegant Edwardian townhouse, 58 Prince’s Gate. The event was attended by Caitlin Chay, First Secretary (Political) from the Singapore High Commission, who shared a few words echoing the strong ties between the UK and Singapore and the valuable experiences of elective programme. Dr Bartholomew recalled the very positive feedback about the students that had been shared by the Consultants and Junior Doctors in the hospitals.

At the farewell reception, LKCMedicine student Marcus Soon Khai Siang reflected on his time in the UK, “It has been a great experience coming to London, especially as it is my first time in Europe and the UK. It was good to see the NHS system and I think it is great that Imperial gives us the opportunity to go to different departments. Overall, the Imperial experience was very smooth. I would definitely recommend my juniors to come here.”

Prior to the start of the elective programme, Leo Wen Zhe had been keen to learn more about how to communicate with patients, “If you want to learn how to be personable and an excellent doctor, who doesn’t only treat the disease but treats the person holistically, then you should come here to learn about that.”

Another student, Karan Singh Randhawa said he gained valuable experience by learning to be part of a medical team in London and felt encouraged to contribute opinions and input. Throughout his time at the hospital, he was able to talk to patients and be involved in their care.

We look forward to welcoming LKCMedicine students to Imperial next year!