Undergraduates

15-Week Placements (September to December)

You will join us for a total of 15 weeks and your placement will include 3 weeks in each of the following 5 specialities:

• General Medicine (you will either be in AMU, General Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology or Stroke)
• Elderly Medicine
• Emergency Medicine
• Surgery (you will either be in Upper or Lower GI Surgery, Breast, ENT or Urology)
• Psychiatry

In addition to attending different clinics and gaining invaluable experience on the wards, you will also be provided with an interesting and varied teaching programme, including simulation and ultrasound training. Further information will be provided to you on the first day of your placement.

A ‘Foundation Teaching for Finals’ programme will be run for you every Tuesday and Thursday from 17:30 to 19:00 in our Post Graduate Educaiton Centre. The typical structure will be a lecture based session every Tuesday and practical sessions every Thursday. The ‘Foundation Teaching for Finals’ Lead will provide you with a copy of the weekly teaching programme once you have joined us.

7-Week F0 Placements (March to May)

During your F0 placement, you will be attached to one of our firms and your working pattern will be based on that of the FY1 that you will be with, which will typically be an 8-hour shift. You will be given the contact number of your assigned FY1 so that you can call or message them directly to discuss where and when to meet them on your first day. Your FY1 will also be able to discuss their rota etc with you as they will be best placed to do this and the information that they provide will therefore be current and correct.

The specialities that F0 students are typically placed in are:

• Gastroenterology
• Respiratory
• Stroke
• Geriatrics
• General Internal Medicine
• Diabetes & Endocrinology
• Cardiology
• Upper GI Surgery
• Lower GI Surgery

You will spend Monday to Thursday in a clinical team, undertaking the role of the FY1.  Every Friday is reserved for small group learning, discussion and reflection on the clinical activity of that week. Each week has a theme and suggested tasks to facilitate F0 participation.

During the F0 placement, you will undertake a final patient simulation session, focusing on End of Life Care and Management. You will be allocated a specific date for your training to take place, which will comprise of a ½ day with expert supervision from hospice teams.

 Sub Dean for Brighton & Sussex Medical Students – Dr Sandeep Cliff

‘I have been the clinical sub-dean for BSMS students for over 10 years and have thoroughly enjoyed having the students here with us at SASH and being involved in their teaching and their overall experience. These students are year 5 and this is their final exposure to medicine before graduating and becoming ‘real doctors’. Many are nervous and apprehensive when they come to SASH with finals looming – but I along with the team try and create a relaxed and informal environment for the students yet instill into them the qualities needed to be a good safe doctor that our patients can trust to look after them.

I organise the students’ weekly seminar programme along with Claire and the clinical fellows, which includes a session with me allowing students to give presentations on interesting clinical cases.

I also link in with the medical school to offer any pastoral help if needed – there is a monthly Cid that requires marking and feedback which I undertake and then spend  time with students going over their essays and presentations.

I do enjoy their presence and feel that the Trust also benefits from having final year medical students present.’

Year 5 Lead for Brighton & Sussex Medical Students – Miss Tharani Mahesan

‘I am coming to the end of my second year as phase 5 BSMS lead at SASH. I have found it a truly rewarding experience to be part of preparing students for their first job as a doctor. Whilst it was a few years ago now, I remember the anxiety of stepping out of the bubble of medical school and into the responsibility of being an F1, and I know the importance of the preparation that final year offers.

 A big part of my role is the delivery and support of F0 with the help of the education fellows. This longer placement is a real opportunity for students to embed themselves as part of the team and really take on the role of an F1 in a supported manner. Each Friday, we have a small group seminar session which allows students to reflect on their experiences. We also discuss negative experiences that the students hopefully will not have experienced but discuss practical ways to help them should such an issue arise. Facilitating these sessions has made me reflect not just on my practice but on the experiences, I hear described.

Medical students are the future of medicine and the junior doctors and consultants of the future. I am delighted to contribute to even a small part of their journey.’

You will join us for a 3-week placement in our busy and varied Emergency Medicine Department.

During your time with us, you should observe and learn management of acute emergencies, by working in various areas in the department, under supervision. You will be expected to take histories, examine and present patients to senior doctors, who will provide constructive feedback to refine your presentation skills.

The following shift pattern that you will follow, will enable you to observe various pathological conditions that patients are presenting with:
Week 1 (08:00 – 17:00) – ED CDU then attend ED Majors zone
Week 2 (10:00 – 18:00) – Adult and Paediatric Resuscitation + RATS zone
Week 3 (15:00 to 22:00) – Minors and Paediatric ED

In addition, you will also be provided with a comprehensive teaching programme as well as one simulation training session in our Post Graduate Education Centre.

Please click on the below link for more information:

https://sasheducationcampus.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Imperial-Medical-Student-Induction-Guide.pdf 

Sub Dean for Imperial Medical Students – Dr Kamal Veeramuthu

As a medical student from St George’s University, you will undertake a placement with us in either:

T Year:
General Surgery (5 weeks in duration)
General Medicine (5 weeks in duration)

P Year:
Paediatrics (5 weeks in duration)
O&G (5 weeks in duration)

F Year:
Anaesthetics & Critical Care (3 weeks in duration)
Diabetes & Endocrinology (5 weeks in duration)
Respiratory (5 weeks in duration)

During the course of your placement, you will have the opportunity to attend different clinics as well as gaining invaluable experience on the wards. You will also be provided with an interesting and varied teaching programme, including simulation training in our Post Graduate Education Centre.

Please see below for further information:

General Surgery
https://sasheducationcampus.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/St-Georges-T-Year-General-Surgery-Placement.docx

General Medicine
https://sasheducationcampus.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/St-Georges-T-Year-General-Medicine-Placement-Timetable.docx 

O&G
https://sasheducationcampus.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/OG-Medical-Student-Induction-Pack.doc

Paediatrics
https://sasheducationcampus.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Paediatrics-Medical-Students-Pack.docx 

Respiratory
Further information about your placement and timetable, will be provided to you on your first day.

Endocrinology
Further information about your placement and timetable, will be provided to you on your first day.

Sub Dean for St George’s Medical Students – Dr Nicholas Courtenay-Evans

I took on the SGUL Sub Dean role in 2019 having enjoyed 4 years as the lead for medical students doing their F Year Critical Care and Anaesthetics placement at East Surrey. Having previously been a trainee in the St George’s School of Anaesthesia, I have a strong affiliation with the medical school and am well aware of the challenges faced by today’s medical students. I work closely with our excellent post-graduate education team to ensure our students have the resources, the structure and the support they need to get the most out of their time at SASH. I am proud to see this reflected in the excellent feedback we receive from students and how many of them wish to work here as junior doctors.

Led by our dedicated Clinical Teaching Fellows, we provide a modern and comprehensive education programme for SGUL students based around their clinical practice outcomes, including simulation training, hands on ultrasound workshops, radiology and ECG masterclasses, as well as consultant delivered specialty learning.

My role is to work collaboratively with St George’s and our local Education Team to ensure the students who come to SASH have their educational and pastoral needs met and that, importantly, they enjoy their time here. Improving student well-being and resilience is a priority of mine and we are constantly developing our resources at SASH to support student welfare needs.

It is a great privilege to be Sub Dean for St George’s. I am proud to see what hard working, caring and rounded students SGUL produces and I always feel reassured when I see our doctors of the future starting out strongly in their careers.

Please click on the below link to access an occupational health information sheet that has specifically been put together to provide details and guide medical students that are on placement at our hospital.

https://sasheducationcampus.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Occupational-Health-Information-for-Medical-Students.docx

Onsite accommodation is provided free of charge to medical students from St George’s University of London (4th and 5th Year students only), Brighton & Sussex Medical School and Imperial College London, whilst on placement at East Surrey Hospital.

Our accommodation is situated just behind the main hospital building and consists of non en-suite flats with 2, 3 or 4 bedrooms. Due to the number of students requiring accommodation we cannot guarantee single sex accommodation and your room is for single occupancy only.

Facilities include a communal kitchen, bathroom and lounge, whilst the bedrooms contain a bed, wardrobe, desk, bedside cabinet and a chair.

Ironing boards and basic cooking utensils etc. are all supplied. There are no TVs provided.

You will need to bring the following items for your stay:
A duvet, bed linen for up to a small double bed (some rooms do have single beds so we recommend a flat sheet to guarantee it will fit. You are unable to request bed size), extra towels, washing up liquid, kitchen roll and a tea towel.

There is free Wi-Fi provided in the accommodation.

There is a launderette onsite which is open 24 hours a day for your convenience.

For more details, please see the attached information or email [email protected] / [email protected]

https://sasheducationcampus.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Accommodation-Information-for-Medical-Students.pdf

https://sasheducationcampus.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/East-Surrey-Hospital-Accommodation-Map.pptx

https://sasheducationcampus.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Local-Area-Information-For-Medical-Students.pdf

There is a wide variety of interesting teaching and learning opportunities available at East Surrey Hospital.

Each student is attached to a supervising Consultant who they will meet at the start of their placement. This person will ensure that you get the most out of your time with us and that your learning objectives are met.

We also have a team of Undergraduate Teaching Fellows who will provide you with a number of great additional learning opportunities – these will be comminucated to you on a regular basis during the course of your placement.

In addition to this, all undergraduates are welcome to attend any regular teaching sessions that are held in our Post Graduate Education Centre for a number of different specialities.

We have a high fidelity simulation suite which medical students have the opportunity to make the most of whilst here at East Surrey Hospital. Brighton, Imperial and St. George’s students will all be provided with at least one simulation session whilst they are on placement with us. Our simulation training always receives excellent feedback and is rated very highly in the region.

SASH Education Campus Simulation Centre

Dr Cesci Adams

Dr Michaela Gaston

I am one of the Undergraduate Education Fellows at East Surrey Hospital. I studied at the University of Birmingham Medical School and then did my Foundation Years in East Surrey Hospital, and I’m excited to be staying here for another year!
I’ve always loved teaching, and taught throughout medical school and into my foundation years. Last year, I ran the Foundation to Finals program for the BSMS students at East Surrey Hospital. I’m looking forward to creating teaching sessions and getting to support all the students coming on placements at this hospital.

I am interested in Surgery as a career, so will spend my clinical time in theatres, clinics, MDT and on the acute take. I am also studying for the Clinical Education Postgraduate Certification to learn a bit about teaching theory and incorporate these techniques into my sessions.

My free time is mostly taken up by looking after my two puppies, seeing family and friends and going swimming.

I can’t wait to meet all the new students and the office door is open all the time to chat through any questions or queries the students might have!

Dr Siona Sabu

I am one of the Undergraduate Education Fellows at East Surrey Hospital. I studied Medicine at Manipal University, India and since my graduation have been at East Surrey in various roles. I did my foundation years as a trust grade/locally employed doctor, went on to do my Internal Medicine training here and now am very excited to start in this new capacity.

I started teaching/mentoring in medical school and then carried on working as a doctor. Over the years, I have worked closely with tutors and our post graduate education team to deliver teaching – lectures/simulation sessions/small group tutorials/ clinical skills – for medical students and junior doctors. As Education Fellow, I look forward to designing teaching programs for medical students that would involve other hospital staff with the aim of education being provided by those with specialist knowledge.

I am interested in Gastroenterology as a career, so will spend my clinical time in outpatient clinics and medical wards. Alongside my clinical and teaching commitments, I will also be completing a PGCert in Medical Education which I hope will my further my teaching skills.

I believe effective training can make way for brilliant doctors who would go on to provide excellent patient care. I look forward to helping our students make the most of East Surrey Hospital to learn! Please come and knock on our door anytime for any support and I will do my best to help!

Our Undergraduate Coordinator, Claire Parsonage, is based in our Post Graduate Education Centre and is responsible for organising and overseeing all aspects of medical student placements that are undertaken at our hospital. Claire is one of the main points of contacts for medical students here and is available to help and support them as well as answer any questions that they may have.

A welcome email containing reporting instructions, placement information, details about onsite accommodation and car parking will be emailed to you approx 2 weeks prior to your start date. Should you have any questions before then, please email [email protected] 

All elective/clinical placement spaces have now been filled for 2025. Applications for 2026 placements can be made from 1st Aug 2025 by clicking on the link further below to complete the application form.

We are pleased to be able to offer medical elective placements of up to 6 weeks in duration (from May to Aug every year) to both UK and overseas students.

Please note that it is a requirement that all medical students have medical indemnity insurance to cover and protect them sufficiently whilst they undertake an elective with us. If a patient suffers any harm as a result of a doctor or medical student’s negligence, it is important that they have adequate insurance in place to compensate the patient in the event that a claim is made against them or the hospital that they are working in. Consequently, if you are unable to obtain medical indemnity cover, then unfortunately we would not be able to accept your elective request. We are unable to recommend medical indemnity companies for you to obtain your insurance from but if you do a general internet search or speak to your medical school / university they should be able to help or direct you.

Please click on the below link for further information about occupational health requirements and services available:

https://sasheducationcampus.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Occupational-Health-Information-for-Medical-Students.docx

To find out more about elective opportunities that are available, please click on the following link, which will take you to an enquiry form that will need to be completed. A member of the team will then be in contact with you, within 10 working days (during busy periods, response times may be slightly longer), to discuss your application further.

Applications for a 2026 placement can be made from 1st Aug 2025 to 30th Apr 2026.

https://forms.office.com/e/SVXGkKZXz2