Case Study -
Accommodation for Medical Students

Trustee Malcolm Clague said: ‘Noble’s Hospital has long been recognised as having excellent clinical and training facilities, as well as staff commitment for such attachments but the lack of sufficient appropriate accommodation is an issue.’

Undergraduate coordinator, Mark Roberts, explained that they have often had to resort to putting students up in hotels because of the lack of accommodation.

He said: ‘We have 15-16 students at the hospital and they are a very useful part of the workforce because they’re only a few months off being qualified so we can put them on the wards.’

Mr Clague said: ‘We know from past experience that some of the medical students, who have undertaken similar clinical attachments here and also been able to experience some of the lifestyle benefits the island has to offer, have subsequently returned after qualifying to take up medical appointments on the island.’

Dr Adrian Dashfield is director of medical education at the hospital. He said: ‘Of last years’ intake of Foundation Year Ones (junior doctors) more than half had been medical students here so it does work.’

He explained that Noble’s excellent record when it comes to medical education means that there is never a shortage of applicants.

He said: ‘In 2021 Noble’s Hospital came top in the whole of the UK for internal medical training for (Foundation) Year Ones. And this year we were better than the whole of the north west.

‘We never struggle to fill our training slots, and of course by making it competitive to come and train here it means that we are attracting the pick of the crop, which means that we get good doctors when they qualify because they are a highly motivated bunch. So it’s better for patients and that is what it’s all about: offering patients a higher quality service and care.’