Doctors graduate early as University boosts support for NHS

Professor Judith Petts said:

“Although the celebration today is different to normal, it is no less special and no less important. The University is incredibly proud of and inspired by our graduating doctors, many of whom have moved into medical careers early at a crucial and demanding time for the health service and the country. To these graduates, on behalf of myself and the University, I’d like to say thank you for what you are doing, and thank you also to the families, partners and friends who have supported you through the long years to qualification.”

Ann James, an Honorary Doctorate of the University, added:

“All today’s graduates should be very proud of what they have achieved so far. These are very much unprecedented times but as these newly qualified doctors go into frontline services, we in the NHS are so grateful for the care and support they will provide to our patients. I am sure the excellent training and experience they have received so far will stand them in good stead and we will now do everything we can to support them as they set out on what will hopefully be a fantastic and rewarding career.”

Professor Sube Banerjee said:

“The way in which these young doctors are putting themselves forward to serve the country and the health service is truly humbling, and I think reflects a desire to help that has been evident across the whole University throughout this crisis. Our medics are in the vanguard of a wave of young healthcare professionals coming out of our Faculty of Health early to support the NHS at this time, and it is right that we recognise all their contributions today.”

Professor Hisham Khalil added:

“On behalf of everyone in Peninsula Medical School, I’d like to say how proud we are of this group as they start their careers in such challenging and unprecedented times. When we welcomed them to the University all those years ago, no-one would have thought they would be graduating early to support the health service as it faces the biggest challenge of its existence. I know they will rise to that challenge, and I am confident the training they have received has prepared them to become compassionate and empathic doctors, providing their patients with excellent evidence-based care, and having a positive impact on the communities they serve.”