SIXTH form students have their finger on the pulse after a workshop designed to inspire them to take up careers within the NHS.

Health and social care students at Northallerton College got to grips with the latest in medical technology during a day-long visit by health education consultants Classroom Medics.

They visit schools with medical equipment for pupils to experience with the aim of helping them make informed decisions about future careers in health.

Students from Prior Pursglove College, Guisborough, were also invited to attend the workshop, which was organised by Northallerton College’s health and social care teacher Debbie Moore.

“This was an ideal opportunity for our students to experiment with real medical equipment that is not generally available in schools and colleges,” she said.

“To be able to see first-hand and to take part in practical aspects of healthcare really helps to raise their awareness of careers that they may not have previously thought about.

“It really was cutting edge stuff and working with Prior Pursglove College really helped to enhance our relationship through the sharing of resources.”

Using real needles students were able to take fake blood from a simulation injection arm, practice stitching and suturing fake skin, record an ECG from their own heart, take ultrasound recordings and work on “Stan - a patient simulator designed to diagnose a variety of medical conditions.