Junior Doctors: On The Front Line

Six junior doctors, all in their twenties, are beginning their new placements at Salford Royal Hospital. They face tough lessons pushing them to their limits as they confront the pressures and demands of winter in the NHS and the realities of being a junior doctor. Twenty-five-year-old Zohaib chose to follow his father into medicine. He describes himself as extremely competitive and got into medicine hoping to 'save lives like a superhero'. Zohaib’s training begins on the Geriatrics Ward and under the watchful eye of consultant Arturo, he looks forward to learning about the unique challenges of caring for elderly patients. With the geriatrics ward often at full capacity in the winter, many jobs are passed to the junior doctors, and Zohaib is asked to do his first rectal examination and enema. Twenty-four-year-old Sofia left her home in the Falkland Islands to study medicine in the UK. Recently qualified, she is beginning her hospital training on the Colorectal Ward, meaning a lot of time is spent discussing patients' bowels. Whilst examining a patient who has had bowel surgery, Sofia’s colorectal knowledge is put to the test by Registrar Rebecca. Being tested is a vital part of every junior doctor’s learning, but getting the answers right doesn't always come easily. Meanwhile, 25-year-old James, a long-stay patient on Sofia's ward, is currently being fed though a drip as he waits for major bowel surgery. Sofia has the difficult task of accompanying her consultant to deliver some bad news. Changing shift patterns are one of the many things junior doctors must get used to and on a busy Friday night in Salford, Sofia is facing her first night shift, where she is the first port of call for over 100 patients across six wards. With resources tighter and pressures higher than ever, working in a hospital is no mean feat. Our junior doctors are thrown in at the deep end as they take their training to the next level to find out if they have what

It's 23-year-old Howra’s first Christmas working in the hospital, and with some staff away for the holiday Howra’s job list increases. Whilst on call and responsible for up to 350 patients across 10 wards, Howra must assess an agitated patient who has been bought in by the police. It’s her first experience of a prisoner and the pressure is on for her to calm him down and make a diagnosis. She is also called to register the death of a patient who has unexpectedly passed away on the ward. It’s another first for Howra and will require her to hold her nerve and manage her emotions. 23-year-old Tom is also working his first Christmas in A&E, one of the hospital's busiest departments. With alcohol-related incidents up over Christmas, Tom needs to be prepared to deal with whatever the festive period throws at him. First year doctor Nick, originally from Manchester, dreams of being an anaesthetist. He will need to be proficient at taking blood, but several failed attempts result in him having to call for help. With his confidence low, will he cope when asked to assess an agitated and aggressive patient? Working in geriatrics is a big adjustment for Zohaib, who came to the hospital hoping 'to save a life' or 'do something like a superhero' but is now learning about the complexities of working with vulnerable, elderly patients.

As each week passes, the junior doctors are finally settling into their new roles. But they are now expected to take on more responsibility and with that, comes greater pressure. Twenty-three-year old Howra is on a night shift, covering 10 wards with over 300 patients. Two hours into her shift she gets a crash call, meaning there’s an emergency in the hospital that all doctors must attend. A patient originally admitted with a fractured skull has lost consciousness and is now in a critical condition. This is Howra’s first crash call and the pressure is on as she joins more senior colleagues at the scene. Following the emergency, aspiring neurosurgeon Howra is put to the test again as she assists one of the hospital’s leading neurosurgeons in major brain surgery. She is called upon to stitch up the patient’s skull and it’s the opportunity she’s been waiting for, but can she rise to the challenge? Just a few months since leaving medical school, Sofia, also on a night shift, is called to verify a death. Having known the patient for a while, it’s a difficult and emotional task for the 24-year-old. Night shifts are relentless and Sofia is put to the test again by a patient who is crying out in pain with his bladder at bursting point. Sofia recognises the symptoms and knows what needs to be done, but can she put what she’s leant into practice? Newly qualified Nick has taken a longer route into medicine and despite his passion for the job; he is still finding his feet. After failing to catheterise two patients, he questions his ability when called to do a third. Over in the Ear, Nose and Throat Department, second year junior doctor Luke is also feeling nervous about treating patients independently. When a patient comes in with a cyst on his ear, Luke is called to drain it and it’s his chance to prove he can carry out this delicate procedure. Will he step up, or will his nerves get the better of him? With resources tighter and pressures highe

Over the past few months, the junior doctors have continued to learn on the job and have become more confident. But as they near the end of their time on their wards, the pressure is on as they are expected to take on even more responsibility. It’s all change for second year doctor Luke as his more experienced colleagues leave the ENT department, meaning he will need to work more independently. Unsure if ENT is the specialty for him, Luke takes a trip back home to Derry to seek advice from his GP father. Second year doctor Tom has been working in Salford Royal’s A&E department, which provides treatment to over 80 thousand patients a year. Several months into his training, he’s still learning how relentless the job can be. As he goes from treating a patient with a head injury, for whom a fast diagnosis could be life-saving, to an elderly lady whose condition deteriorates rapidly, the emotional pressure begins to take its toll. As first year doctor Zohaib approaches the end of this stage of his training, it is time for him to lead a family discussion about how to treat an elderly patient should her condition deteriorate. Although routine, discussing how to treat, and whether to resuscitate a patient, is a sensitive matter. Zohaib has learnt to appreciate the unique complexities and rewards of the Geriatrics Ward, but will he be able to lead this sensitive discussion alone? With resources tighter and pressures higher than ever, working in a hospital is no mean feat. Our junior doctors are thrown in at the deep end as they take their training to the next level to find out if they have what it takes to be our doctors of tomorrow.