After 4 years of medical school we unfortunately had no graduation, no celebration and no elective. We were all aware this was where the state of the country was heading, and obviously much bigger things were happening in the world; but I think a small part of us all selfishly hoped things might drastically change so we could have our final ‘rite of passage’ as new graduate doctors.

Time flew from here. Boris announced national lockdown. Death counts soared. The following week national news channels started feeding information that new graduates were being drafted in to the battle zone early; people were being passed without sitting exams, resits were being entirely cancelled. It really made the pride of passing bittersweet and thing were starting to get more real.

And then we got the email.

We could volunteer ourselves to start working; I was unprepared and felt way out of my depth. There was no shadowing component and no slow entry in to the front line; I had no idea what people were expecting of me and if I would even be able to be that much use.

So, I moved out of my family home back up to the Midlands to begin my placement on the COVID ward at UHCW. I was obviously dubious but I was very aware that this was a rare opportunity to be a part of something that will be part of history.

The WMS team completely acted as a life raft, every step of the way they were there to guide us and make us feel safe and secure. We were in a rare position of privilege where we had both the support of the hospital team and the University. It certainly made the situation seem more controlled and manageable.

Scrubs, masks & aprons on. We were started on the wards. I can’t even begin to express in words how amazing the team on the ward were. Throughout my career I will remember each colleague for how much of a positive impact they had on an otherwise horrible situation. Teamwork really doesn’t do it justice.

PPE has been the buzzword of the pandemic in the healthcare setting. The only issue I really encountered here was how clinical it made my interactions with patients feel. I can’t begin to imagine how scary it must have been for them; with the only human interaction they had being behind an array of masks and visors. It really made me value how we are usually able to interact with our patients and their families.

On my first day I was recorded for BBC panorama and subsequently interviewed the week after and broadcast on national TV. This was certainly a new experience. It was nice for my family and friends to be able to see what I was doing to and why I’d had to move away and stop seeing them.

The COVID pandemic has been a time that no one will forget. I feel honoured to have been given the opportunity to be a part of the NHS front line during the battle. The values of teamwork, supporting those around you and being a part of NHS have been proven.

I love the fact that no matter what happens in the world around; the politics, national outcry and scandal; the people you work shoulder to shoulder with on the wards will always have the same values as you; the patients.