Three final-year medical students from the University of Nottingham have just returned from a life-changing overseas elective in Australia, thanks to the Ramsay Medical Student Bursary, an initiative led by Woodthorpe Hospital, part of Ramsay Health Care UK.
In recent years, overseas electives—once a key experience for medical students—have become increasingly difficult to secure. Recognising this challenge, Woodthorpe Hospital Director Paul Scott collaborated with Ramsay Health Care Australia to create a unique opportunity for local students to undertake their final placement at Greenslopes Private Hospital in Brisbane, Queensland.
Paul Scott, Hospital Director at Woodthorpe Hospital, said;“This is a great example of effective global collaboration across Ramsay territories. It took a year to organise – but the result has been life-changing for these students.”
The programme reflects Ramsay Health Care’s commitment to its ‘Ramsay Cares’ strategy, in particular the ‘Caring for Our Community’ pillar, by investing in the development of future healthcare professionals and widening access to international learning experiences.
Hosted by Ramsay’s colleagues at Greenslopes Private Hospital, the students were immersed in a new healthcare system, experienced different medical practices and cultures, and explored the professional and personal richness of life abroad.
One of the students reflected on the experience:
“My time at Greenslopes and in Brisbane was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, made possible by the Ramsay bursary, Greenslopes Private Hospital, and the University of Nottingham.”
The students’ journeys stand as a powerful testament to Ramsay’s global reach and shared purpose across continents—supporting the next generation of healthcare professionals.
Nick Costa, CEO of Ramsay Health Care UK, said:
“I am really pleased that Ramsay Health Care has been able to support local, Nottingham-based medical students with their elective programme. This sponsorship makes me very proud of our organisation—its values—and speaks to the heart of what it means to be a responsible partner within our communities. It’s also about supporting social mobility and helping individuals grow and develop—either within or because of what we do.”
Woodthorpe Hospital has committed to continuing the Ramsay Medical Student Bursary for the next two years, offering more students the chance to experience this transformative experience.