A DOZEN newly-qualified doctors have launched their careers at Grimsby's Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital.
The 12 have become junior doctors, having been recruited by the Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (NLaG), which runs the hospital, via the Hull York Medical School where they studied.
As reported, the students undertook placements at hospitals including Grimsby, Hull, York and Scarborough, as well as local GP practices, and had to apply for jobs across the country after completing their studies.
Dr Alex New, 23, who hails from West Sussex, described Grimsby as the perfect place to start her career in medicine.
She said: "I wanted to stay in the area because I've got to know the hospitals and it seems like a good place to start out.
"It's different now because we have more responsibility but medical school prepares you for everything.
"It's been a bit stressful so far as it always is when you start a new job."
Alex is specialising in medicine and will live nearby in Hull.
Dr Kuldeep Kaur said it was "scary but exciting" to be practising for real and is aiming to specialise in gastroenterology, which focuses on the digestive system.
The 25-year-old, who comes from Leeds, said: "I've always wanted to be a doctor and I love the busy lifestyle that comes with it.
"I was inspired by programmes like ER on the television and having travelled abroad, it makes you realise just how good the NHS is.
"It's a little bit overwhelming that everyone is calling me 'doctor' though!"
Dr Sophie Emerton, 24, talked of becoming a doctor as early as four years old – according to her mum – and is hoping to become a GP.
She said: "It's a lot different to medical school. There's a lot of a pressure now.
"I wanted to stay near to Beverley as I'm a bit of a home bird really."
Harriet Stephens, head of education, training and development at NLAG, said: "We get very positive feedback from our students while they are here on placement in the trust.
"And we are really pleased they have chosen us to be their first employers in the NHS."
Overall 17 students were recruited from the HYMS by the trust, five of whom will be based at Scunthorpe hospital.
A shortage of junior doctors at the trust was among the issues highlighted by the recent Sir Bruce Keogh review into higher than expected death rates.
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