More than 140 students attended a careers day at Heartlands Hospital showcasing the wide range of jobs in the NHS.

The ‘Insight into the NHS’ event gave pupils, aged between 15 and 18 years, a taste of what to expect if they choose a career in the health service.

They were also given information about work experience opportunities and apprenticeships at UHB.

UHB staff from a range of different specialties took part in hosting interactive workshops, including maternity, finance, AHPs and radiology. Staff from recruitment were also on hand to talk to students about ways of getting into the health service.

Pupils from across the Birmingham and Solihull area got the chance for some interactive fun - having a go at delivering a ‘baby’ or operating on a ‘patient’.

Students were given the opportunity to talk to a range of people about their jobs, including Health Informatics, Technical Services, Estates and Laboratory Medicine.

Stephanie Parkes, the Trust’s work experience and education support manager, said: “The day went really well and gave pupils an insight into the NHS and an awareness that it’s not just about doctors and nurses, that there are so many different jobs available.”

Teacher Iram Ali of Sandwell Academy brought ten of her students along. She said: “I think it’s been great. I loved it and especially the interactive stuff. I wish I had had that opportunity when I was their age.”

She said that she thought apprenticeships could be popular with students.

Director of Nursing at UHB Margaret Garbett addressed pupils as the day drew to a close.

She said: “I would like to say that working in the NHS is a real privilege, serving the community you live in and work in, doing something that makes a difference.

“Every single profession you’ve seen makes a difference to patients here. Every single job in the NHS is really important. There is not an insignificant job, everybody is absolutely important.”

She stressed young people didn’t have to decide exactly what they wanted to do straight away as they could start off in one job but end up in another. She gave examples of a health care assistant who became a physiotherapist and an apprentice in carpentry who later became estates manager.