We know that the transition to learning in a clinical environment can be a big step, so, as you progress to Year 3 of the Programme (and beyond), we continue to provide a wide range of support.
Some support is a continuation of that provided during Years 1, 2 and the GEM Year, however additional help is available, tailored to your stage of training. For example, a new network of support is available at your Clinical Education Campus, complementing that on offer within the main University campus.
Academic Year Leads
In addition to the overall University Year Leads, each Clinical Education Campus has a local Academic Year Lead and a Year Coordinator. The Academic Leads, as well as individual module/speciality leads, will be able to answer questions about learning content, about a specific module, about methods of study, or other academic matters. The Year Coordinator will be able to answer questions about the logistics of your placements and will signpost you to help if needed (see Contacts).
Clinical Academic Advisors
In Year 3, each student is allocated a Clinical Academic Advisor, who is based at their Clinical Education Campus and remains with them throughout their studies. They take over from the pre-clinical Academic Advisors at the end of Year 2.
Students who are studying on the GEM pathway will be assigned a Clinical Academic Advisor from the beginning of the second semester, after you know which clinical education campus you will be based at.
Clinical Academic Advisors do not replace those whose role is to provide student support (i.e. the Clinical Education Campus SPS and Central University SPS and SSW Teams; clinical tutors, or clinical placement supervisors). They are, however, experienced clinicians who can provide invaluable guidance and advice in many areas and can also give you a critique of your progress.
You will be receiving feedback from a variety of sources (examinations, assessments, clinical placements). Your Academic Advisor will help to guide your responses to this, so that you can formulate your own action and learning plans for further development. They can advise you on preparing for the next stage of your learning by ensuring that you evaluate your strengths and identify areas that require further work.
They will be able to discuss with you the clinical implications of your learning and challenge you to maximise the benefits from your clinical placements and learning opportunities, both on the hospital wards and in the community. They will also encourage you to obtain a wide experience of medicine in order to prepare you to select a career pathway. It is important to recognise that a key part of your development concerns your ability to reflect and make sound professional judgements and Academic Advisors, as clinicians, will also want to discuss this with you.
In rare and exceptional circumstances, students are permitted to request that their Advisor is changed. They are required to give a valid reason for their request; this should then be considered for approval by the Lead for PPD, Dr Fiona Rae, if appropriate. If a request to change Advisor is not approved, full details of the reason why will be communicated to the student. If a request is approved, the Teaching and Learning team will arrange the necessary transfer and update the student record.
Support at the Clinical Education Campuses
Each Clinical Education Campus has its own on-site Student Pastoral Support (SPS) team, led by an Associate Hospital Dean for SPS. Local information is available from the Undergraduate Team at your Clinical Education Campus, or their websites (see Contacts).
Your Associate Hospital Dean for SPS is available to meet with you, face-to-face, to discuss matters of a non-academic nature such as financial concerns, personal or family issues and health issues directly affecting your studies. Your Clinical Education Campus SPS team is therefore a vital point of contact for you during Years 3, 4 and 5 of your studies; therefore, it is a good idea to get to know the members of your Clinical Education Campus SPS team. Their contact details can be found at the bottom of the SPS Contacts page.
The hospital-based SPS teams work closely with the Central University SPS Team, based at the Stopford Building, to ensure that there is consistency in support, regardless of which Clinical Education Campus you are allocated to. In some instances, your Clinical Education Campus SPS Team may refer you to meet with the Central University SPS Team if you require additional support or guidance.
You can still receive support from the central SPS team too, just email the team at med.sps@manchester.ac.uk if you would like to arrange a meeting with them.
Peer Mentoring
The Clinical Education Years Peer Mentoring scheme is set up to support new Year 3 students in their transition into the clinical years. Students from Year 4, who have been trained as mentors, will provide you with support throughout the year, through a range of activities and events. Your Peer Mentors are there to answer any questions you may have, however small. Whether that be; ‘What can I take on a ward?’ or advising on best transport routes to take to placements or the best person to ask if you have a problem.
From the autumn of Year 3 you will have the opportunity to train to be a Peer Mentor yourself for the following year group. Training and ongoing support will be provided, plus being a Mentor will help you learn, and demonstrate organisational and other key skills that will enhance your CV.
On-line support and guidance
There is a huge amount of advice and guidance on line, developed by the University. The guidance covers issues such as homesickness, social isolation, managing your finances, exam worries and many more.
The University Counselling and Mental Health Service provide self help resources both on-line and through workshops that many students find helpful.
There are also further resources available to help you to provide proactive self-care and support your wellbeing.
The Students’ Union offers advice too, through their advice service. They can offer guidance for lots of different issues that you may be facing including advice for finance, housing, wellbeing and academic issues.
Support for your wellbeing outside of working hours:
Sometimes you might need support when the University is closed for the day or weekend. When this is the case you might want to look into some further support that is available to you outside of traditional working hours.
Students can access 24-hour mental health support from Spectrum Life, which is a helpline for students if you need to speak to someone urgently. You can call them on 0800 031 8227 (UK) or 00353 1 518 027 (International) at any time 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to speak to one of their trained counsellors and advisors who are ready to listen and provide support whenever you need it.
You can also text ‘Hi‘ to their Whatsapp number on 074 1836 0780. If you are not seeking urgent support, you can sign up to Spectrum Life by going to this link app.spectrum.life/login and use the code ‘UOMWELL’.
Qwell is a 24/7 service that provides free and anonymous online mental health support whenever you need it. Qwell is a digital support service that can put you in touch with a mental health professional.
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) are also available 5pm–midnight every day to call on 0800 58 58 58 or on webchat if you are struggling and need to talk