Casterton School Medical Society
The Medical Society is attended by students from year 10 to upper sixth. The society is lively and all students contribute. At the start of the year, a formal dinner is held and attended by new and present members of Medical Society. Last autumn Dr Kaye, a local doctor, talked about his voluntary work delivering health care in Tanzania. As a thank you, the Society organized an evening BBQ which raised over £600 for further work in Tanzania.
A varied programme of activities provides students with first-hand experiences designed to help prepare them for entrance into careers in Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science. Help and guidance is offered on interview technique and the entrance tests for Medical School. During the academic year, regular meetings take place and a wide variety of events are offered. The Medical Society is run by Mrs Fielden and supported by Dr McMeechan. The School Doctor, Dr P. Hall, plays an active part in running the activities of Medical Society.
Recent events have included talks by visiting speakers and first aid training by our school Doctor. Discussion sessions often include the ethical dilemmas of being a doctor. Girls find experiences such as this beneficial in preparing applications to Medical School, as well as helping with their career decisions.
Please read on, for a flavor of the activities of Casterton School Medical Society…
Visit to Langdale and Ambleside Mountain Rescue Centre
Twenty girls from the Medical Society recently attended a visit to one of the UK’s busiest mountain rescue teams: the Langdale and Ambleside Mountain Rescue Centre. Following a talk on the work of mountain rescue, girls worked on a scenario on how to deal with bone fractures and spinal injuries, in emergency situations. Girls learned about the Airway, Breathing and Circulation (ABC) routine and had the opportunity to use equipment used in emergency situations. Girls were impressed by a tour of the facility in which the equipment in the ambulances was also demonstrated. The evening ended when senior student, Bhavika Patel, thanked the team for enabling the visit, and a donation was made to mountain rescue on behalf of Casterton School. Some photographs from this event can be found below.
Using medical instruments in diagnosis
Medical Society students gain hands-on experience of using medical equipment! The event was organised by Dr P. Hall, School Doctor and experienced General Practitioner. Again, this is a hugely beneficial experience for girls applying to Medicine and allied professions. During this recent event, girls undertook a number of ‘roleplay’ activities in order to measure blood pressure, blood glucose levels and examine the eye safely! Oranges and bananas were used to give girls experience of using a syringe!
