Medical students are from today supporting health services across Coventry and Warwickshire to help fight COVID-19 (Coronavirus).

120 final year students from Warwick Medical School at The University of Warwick will initially be employed by the NHS locally to deliver vital support to existing medical and other clinical staff to help with the response to Coronavirus.

The students, who have volunteered to work in local health services, will be undertaking duties such as clerking patients, administrative tasks to support clinical teams and operating a doctor ‘buddy’ system.

60 students will be working at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire and 30 each at Warwick Hospital and George Eliot Hospital in Nuneaton.

All have already taken and passed their Finals examinations and achieved the required standard to deliver basic care in a highly supervised clinical setting.

Professor Kiran Patel, Chief Medical Officer at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust, said: “I’ve been overwhelmed by the incredible response from our local Medical School students who want to help the NHS in what is a really challenging time.

“Together with the University of Warwick, we have mobilised these students very quickly, and have pulled together a comprehensive support package for them as they start in employment, including induction, supervision, pastoral care, mentoring and mental health support.

“The three NHS Trusts have worked collaboratively to support the employment and placement of the medical students to help our local communities.

“It’s really heartening to hear that so many of them are willing to step up at this critical time, I am very proud to be working alongside these brilliant individuals.”

Professor Sudhesh Kumar from Warwick Medical School said: “As Dean of Warwick Medical School I am both deeply proud and grateful that all these talented young medical students are adding their talent, energy and commitment to the frontline of the pandemic response in our region’s hospitals.”

Student Jonny Kaberry said: “Instead of going on elective placement this month, due to the increasing demand on the healthcare system here in the UK, we have decided to stay in Coventry and Warwickshire to support the local health services. We are happy that we are playing our part during this critical time.”

Dhivyaa Premachandra, another student, said: “This is what we’ve spent the last four years training for, so we’re really pleased be using those skills and knowledge to help support the NHS.”

UHCW is also working with other academic partners, volunteers and members of the public who are keen to support the Trust’s hospitals.