MORE than 50 junior doctors took to wards across NHS Forth Valley earlier this month as part of their ongoing development.

Fifty-one first-year foundation doctors took part in induction and shadowing opportunities before starting work in local wards on Monday, August 2 as part of their ongoing development and medical training.

The first-year foundation doctors, who come from across the UK, will work on rotations through several specialties including medicine, surgery and anaesthesia.

After completing medical school, junior doctors have to complete a two-year foundation programme in both hospital and primary care, where they gain a wide range of experience before deciding on which areas they want to focus on in the future.

Dr Kate Patrick, director of Medical Education at NHS Forth Valley, said: “I’m delighted to welcome our newly qualified doctors to NHS Forth Valley this week to continue their training and gain valuable experience working alongside a wide range of colleagues and teams across local wards and departments.”

Mr Andrew Murray, Medical Director at NHS Forth Valley, added: “These junior doctors are a key part of our future medical workforce and will make an important contribution to local wards, departments and services over the next year.

“I know they will receive a very warm welcome from local teams and patients as they embark on the next chapter of their careers.”