A medical student from Lancaster University is to spend work experience at a hospital in New Orleans.

Liv Davies is in the third year of the medical degree at the University’s Centre for Medical Education, when undergraduates can choose where they want to spend their placement. She will spend five weeks working in the emergency ward of a charity hospital in New Orleans which is run by the Louisiana State University School of Medicine.

“I’m really excited and I can’t wait to go. Lots of medical students choose to volunteer at hospitals in Africa or India but I’ve always wanted to go to America. There is a continuity between the American and UK health systems although of course it’s mainly private in the US. “

Liv will be staying in student accommodation at Lousiana State University and working in the emergency room of the teaching hospital.

“I chose this hospital because they were willing for me to do things like take blood samples and give injections. I expect to see a lot of different cases like gunshot wounds which you wouldn’t see in the UK and the flooding is still affecting the city, so I’m not sure how bad it will be. There will also be different hospital procedures and an emphasis on paperwork so it’ll be all very challenging.”

Lancaster University’s Director of Medical Studies Dr Gill Vince said going on placement broadened the students’ experience.

“They have to experience a healthcare system outside the North West so they don’t have to go abroad, but most of them do. We have students going to Australia, New Zealand, India and Africa for five weeks to experience a different healthcare system and a different culture so it’s enriching.”

Liv has already completed several placements during her medical degree at Lancaster. She spent part of the previous academic year off campus with her time divided between the Royal Lancaster Infirmary, Furness General Hospital and a GP practice in Thornton Cleveleys.

The University’s undergraduate medical degree is one of the courses at the newly-created School of Health and Medicine.