A formal NHS Scotland partner believes that a new online hub for young people exploring a career in medicine could help to encourage the healthcare innovators of tomorrow

Your Med Future — “a guide to support anyone thinking about applying to study medicine in Scotland” — has been created by NHS Education for Scotland (NES) in collaboration with the five Scottish medical schools and the Medical Schools Council.

The new section of the NHS Scotland Careers website is designed to support young people from all backgrounds in exploring a future career in medicine.

InnoScot Health believes that this can be a gateway to also beginning an education in pioneering healthcare — to shaping Scotland’s innovation leaders of tomorrow.

Head of Innovation Commercialisation, Gillian Henderson said: “With new technological developments and healthcare breakthroughs happening all the time, innovation-minded junior doctors are arguably best placed to fully exploit their opportunities as we build towards a more sustainable health service where staff feel empowered to make a difference.

“Now more than ever, we need the breakthrough thinkers to start on their career path in medicine with innovation front of mind. It must increasingly be a consideration for those joining NHS Scotland who want to spearhead positive change by translating the latest groundbreaking academic thinking into clinical practice for a healthier, more resilient society.

“We need those enthusiastic early-stage leaders with fresh ideas who can look at old problems in a new light — but they must also be given the right tools, both practical and educational, to help inform the direction of transformational travel.”

The Your Med Future microsite is expected to “become a cornerstone of NHS Scotland’s wider efforts to grow and diversify the future medical workforce” by breaking down barriers to access.

It brings together a host of useful resources to help navigate the best route into medicine for every individual — from early consideration when weighing up career choices to preparing an application.

Fiona Fraser, Associate Director of Research, Innovation and Workforce Diversification, NES, said: “We’re excited to see this resource become a go-to tool, informing schools, families, and young people across Scotland. It’s not just a website — it’s a signal that we’re reimagining what the future of medicine can look like, by improving access to relatable information that enhances confidence and approaches to considering and applying for a career in medicine.”

The initial Your Med Future suite of resources are designed to provide a foundation for the development of a hub that will continue to expand including:

• Inspiring real-life stories from medical students and early-career doctors
• Further resources identified through ongoing user research with young people, career changers, parents, carers teachers and other stakeholders to ensure that a career as a doctor is seen as attainable, attractive and accessible

Professionals are encouraged to share Your Med Future widely within their networks by visiting the Stakeholder toolkit page which offers guidance on supporting promotion of the hub.

Gillian continued: “InnoScot Health firmly believes that a new generation’s limitless mindset can become synonymous with positive, inclusive transformation, career advancement, and the breaking of glass ceilings for widespread health and social care benefit.”

The NHS Scotland partner is proud to be part of a collaborative group of organisations supporting Scottish innovators taking part in the NHS Clinical Entrepreneurs Programme (CEP) which is open to junior and early career doctors.