Third-year medical students from the University of Southampton are gaining first-hand experience in nursing homes as part of a new pilot with the Hampshire Care Association. The initiative aims to strengthen collaboration between health and social care, giving future doctors a deeper understanding of the vital role care providers play in people’s lives.
The placements, which last a day, see students attend in pairs and embed themselves in local nursing homes. They witness how care teams support hospital discharge, rehabilitation, prevention, end-of-life care, and residents’ ongoing well-being.
Dr Alex Corcoran, year 3 module lead for Primary Care at the University of Southampton, is spearheading the programme. He said:
“This pilot gives our students a powerful insight into the world of community-based care. Spending time in a nursing home allows them to experience first-hand the value of holistic, person-centred care, and the vital role of multidisciplinary teamwork.”
A Shift in Medical Training
Emma Heath, CEO of Hampshire Care Association, described the project as “a truly radical shift in how we train tomorrow’s healthcare professionals.” She added:
“For too long, social care has been misunderstood or overlooked. By placing medical students directly into care settings, we’re helping them see the full picture of a person’s care journey and not just what happens in hospitals.”
The initiative supports national ambitions for closer working between health and social care, as highlighted in recent NHS and government reforms.
Benefits for Both Sectors
For care homes, the pilot is an opportunity to showcase their expertise and influence the outlook of future doctors. For students, it offers exposure to complex care settings that are often underrepresented in medical training.
Marie Wheeler, Registered Manager at Durban House in Romsey, explained:
“By working alongside our team, medical students can gain vital insight into dementia, chronic illness, end-of-life care, and the barriers residents face in accessing health services. This experience builds clinical confidence, empathy, and a real understanding that whole-person care relies on collaboration across health, social care, and families.”
Andrea Pattison, owner of St Ronans Care Home in Southsea, added:
“Providing students with access to care homes at such an early stage is a great way to build mutual respect across the sector. It will ultimately lead to even better care for residents, while also giving our staff a chance to showcase the skills and dedication involved in everyday practice.”
Looking Ahead
The pilot will run across selected sites from September to December 2025, with evaluation and feedback helping to shape a wider rollout in 2026. If successful, it could serve as a model for medical schools nationwide, embedding social care at the heart of training the next generation of doctors.
