Medstream at Rossall
Medstream is a bespoke programme for Years 10-13, exposing them to professionals and the institutions in which they work and providing incremental support for those who aspire to vocations like medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry and bio-medical research.
In an approach unique to Rossall, Medstream sessions integrate dissections, microscope work, patient case studies, medical ethics debates and discussions about technological advances in the news, alongside personalised advice on UCAT preparation, finding work experience, university applications and interview practice.
Autumn Term 2025 has seen Rossall Medstreamers working weekly on career development. Year 13 students have been focusing on finalising their university choices, personal statements, and interview preparedness. Year 12 students have discovered the importance of NHS Values in debate and investigation related to the Charlie Gard Case and Shropshire Maternity Scandal. They have also explored the topic of coronary heart disease, with a deep dive into “The Case of Grandma Edna’s Heart", reviewing the diagnosis and management of a patient with heart failure, and studying why Blackpool has the highest mortality rate from coronary heart disease in the UK. Budding doctors used a heart dissection to relate a healthy animal heart to the physical changes that a pathologist would find in an obese patient.
As part of our talks program, our students thoroughly enjoyed a Problem Based Learning session on Food Poisoning run by Professor David Brigden of Lancaster University Medical School, in a learning style that has been adopted by many universities to deliver an integrated vocational curriculum. The sixth form Medstream also had the opportunity to attend a fascinating talk by an OR, Mr David Pilkington on the History of Medicine and his own career in Maxillo-Facial Surgery.
Year 11 students participated in Medstream sessions as part of the Rossall Inspire Program, focussing on a different occupation each fortnight, from the midwife welcoming new life, to GP’s gathering clues to make diagnoses, to pharmacists preparing and advising on medicines, a surgeon’s precise coordination and teamwork during complex operations, and the nurse’s role in patient support and treatment.
Meanwhile, Year 10/11 Medstream Club has been investigating the role of the radiologist, increasing their understanding of medical imaging, examining online x-ray libraries and the School’s own collection of bones in the Science Dept. Club members were also invited to join the sixth form Medstreamers to attend an inspiring presentation by OR Lt Col (Dr) Elaine Walker MBE about her career working for both the NHS and British Army, and her leading role in improving medical care for women in the Armed Forces.
We are always keen to hear from parents who work within the dental, veterinary, health or bio-med industries, or who have contacts with professionals who might be willing to work with the Medstream students in talks, one-to-one mentoring or work experience. If you think you may be able to help, please contact Amanda O’Hara (Head of Medstream) at a.ohara@rossall.org.uk
