Students from Essex and Suffolk considering a future in medicine got to try their hands at keyhole surgery and anaesthesia during a careers event.
Pupils at Colchester Sixth Form College, Colchester Royal Grammar School, Suffolk One and The Royal Hospital School took part in the day at The ICENI Centre.
Based at Colchester General Hospital the centre is a joint venture between the NHS trust and Anglia Ruskin University.
It includes a skills laboratory and mock operating theatre.
As well as having a go with and learning about the equipment the students also met a range of health professionals and current trainees to get an in-depth look at future career possibilities.
Tan Arulampalam, consultant surgeon and clinical director of the centre, said: “We had absolutely incredible feedback, everyone seemed to enjoy it and have a lot of fun – especially with the practical things in the afternoon.
“There can be a lot of inequality in getting work experience so we said rather than go through the normal channels we will use the ICENI Centre to help our local people be the doctors of the future.”
Mr Arulampalam added the day would not have been possible with sponsorship by The Oaks Hospital and Ellisons Solicitors, and that he hopes to run the day twice a year to cater for high demand.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here