Final-year Student Doctors make Declaration of Geneva pledge
Taking the Declaration of Geneva is a key milestone in becoming a doctor. Always an emotional and important moment, this year was even more poignant when Liverpool Student Doctors gathered alongside colleagues at Trust sites throughout the North West to make their pledge and continue their journey within the NHS.
First adopted by the World Medical Association in 1948, the Declaration of Geneva is known as a modern version of the Hippocratic Oath, and is taken by members of the medical profession as they declare their commitment to a lifetime of care.
The 2021 class of student doctors in particular have been at the forefront of the region’s COVID efforts throughout the pandemic. Since COVID hit last March, they have provided vital support on placement, through volunteer work, taking up posts as healthcare assistants, and participating in pioneering research studies.
Playing an essential part in the rollout of the COVID vaccine, our graduating class have also been volunteering to administer vaccinations, most notably to elderly and vulnerable patients.
Following the sunny May Bank Holiday weekend, Dean of the Liverpool School of Medicine, Professor Hazel Scott, made her way to Southport, Aintree, Warrington, Whiston, Countess of Chester, Royal Liverpool and Arrowe Park University Hospitals to lead students and staff in a series of emotional ceremonies.
The Declaration of Geneva Ceremony at Southport Hospital
In leading the oath with over 250 future colleagues, Professor Scott noted the significance of the moment as students pledged their dedication to a lifetime of meaningful service to others.
“That you now have the attributes of a doctor and the dedication to serve is without question."
Your response to the call from the NHS over this pandemic, and the tributes paid by numerous clinicians as to how you did this, testify that you are ready. Ready to pick up the baton laid down by the generations of medics who have qualified from Liverpool ahead of you.
“There will be difficult situations to deal with, but the collective community of nurses, pharmacists, numerous other healthcare professionals, scientists and technicians will be there to help you find the right solution."
From your experience over the pandemic, you already know just how important every member of the team is.
"I hope you will always be ready to listen to them and most importantly to your patients.”
Students take the Declaration at Aintree Hospital
First up was Southport Hospital, followed by Aintree Hospital later on that day. Steve Warburton, Chief Executive of Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (LUHFT) says,
“This group of student doctors has made an extra special contribution to our hospitals and the national response to the global pandemic we have battled throughout 2020 and 2021. It was a real honour to be able to say a few words at the Declaration of Geneva ceremonies at Aintree and the Royal Liverpool Hospitals."
It is a privilege to recognise and celebrate the important milestone of qualifying to become a doctor.
"At LUHFT we recognise the importance of supporting high standards of medical education and the essential role it plays in training the future medical workforce on which we all depend for our healthcare.”
Student Doctor Maddie Boyers was delighted to take her Declaration at Aintree, alongside friend and Student Doctor Paige Hall.
“I've had a great time at Liverpool School of Medicine, made the best friends and created so many memories. We are staying in the area and both working at Aintree this summer so can’t wait to have student doctors with us and stay in touch with everyone.”
Student Doctors Alice, Ellie, Maddie & Paige at Warrington and Aintree
Wednesday kicked off with a ceremony at Warrington Hospital. Dr Kate Alldred, Undergraduate Clinical Sub-Dean, had this message of congratulations to our student doctors.
“Thank you for going the extra mile to help our Trust, our staff and our patients. You have adapted to a new way of curriculum delivery, a new way of working in the clinical environment, and have taken this in your stride. Thanks to all who volunteered, bolstering the parts of our service where we needed extra pairs of hands, and making a palpable contribution to patient care and flow."
The past two years have been unique and unusual. Everything you have gained from this will stand you all in good stead to be excellent doctors. It has been a pleasure to share some of the journey with you.
Students and staff take part in the ceremony at Warrington Hospital
Student Doctor Ellie Briegal came full circle when she took the Declaration at Warrington Hospital, her place of birth! Next up was Whiston Hospital.
The Declaration ceremony at Whiston Hospital
Clinical Sub-Dean Dr Paul Stockton extends his congratulations to students.
“We were delighted to be able to celebrate this occasion with our fifth-year students. They have succeeded in competing their studies in very challenging times. The Declaration of Geneva ceremony was a fitting way to acknowledge their achievements and marks the next exciting step in their medical careers."
The students are a credit to the University of Liverpool, and I wish them luck in the future.
Student Doctor Pippa Caine was thrilled to take her pledge at Whiston Hospital, thanking staff for their support this year.
Student Doctor Pippa Caine outside Whiston Hospital with fellow students
The Countess of Chester Hospital welcomed students on Thursday and even managed to stream the event live for their families.
Student doctors take part in the ceremony at Countess of Chester Hospital
Executive Medical Director Darren Kilroy started things off by sharing reflections on his own journey as a medic – a journey he said that had ‘always been interesting and rewarding, if not easy, and one he had enjoyed every single day’. Dr Kilroy welcomed our graduating student doctors to ‘a family, a collective, a most privileged and humble community, one in which they all have very different contributions to make.’ He encouraged students to ‘take new chances, find joy every day and to stay connected with those around them’, assuring them, ‘there’s nothing more rewarding than dedicating your life to contribute to compassionate care.’
Clinical Sub-Dean for Countess of Chester Hospital Dr Nicola Eardley took to Twitter to offer her congratulations. She says,
"It was lovely to be asked by Prof. Hazel Scott to arrange an event where the students could gather to say the Declaration of Geneva together before they start work as doctors. The medical education team at the Countess of Chester Hospital did their best to allow families and friends to share the special occasion by live streaming via a webcam. It was touching to see proud family members on screen sending congratulatory messages to the students."
The pandemic has had many effects on their training but they have adapted well to different ways of learning and working and can feel confident that they have the skills required to start work as foundation doctors.
"As a hospital we are sad to see the students leave but wish them all the best for the future and look forward to working with them as doctors."
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The ceremony at Chester was live streamed for the students' families
The week’s events rounded off on Friday with ceremonies at Arrowe Park Hospital and the Royal Liverpool Hospital.
Duncan Cameron, Medical Simulation Technician at Arrowe Park gave us a peek into the festivities laid on for students on the day.
The Declaration Ceremony at Arrowe Park Hospital
Professor Scott says of her experience, “It was such a privilege to be part of the moment when our students fulfilled the promise of their years of training and reached beyond Liverpool to connect with the global medical community, as they individually, personally, and solemnly made a career-long commitment to uphold the values of our ancient profession."
It is always an emotional moment and one that felt even more special this year, set within the placements that developed their skills and understanding of patients.
The last ceremony at Royal Liverpool University Hospital
Declaration of Geneva
As a member of the medical profession:
I solemnly pledge to dedicate my life to the service of humanity.
The health and wellbeing of my patient will be my first consideration.
I will respect the autonomy and dignity of my patient.
I will maintain the utmost respect for human life.
I will not permit considerations of age, disease or disability, creed, ethnic origin, gender, nationality, political affiliation, race, sexual orientation, social standing or any other factor to intervene between my duty and my patient.
I will respect the secrets that are confided in me, even after the patient has died.
I will practise my profession with conscience and dignity and in accordance with good medical practice.
I will foster the honour and noble traditions of the medical profession.
I will give to my teachers, colleagues, and students the respect and gratitude that is their due.
I will share my medical knowledge for the benefit of the patient and the advancement of healthcare.
I will attend to my own health, well-being, and abilities in order to provide care of the highest standard.
I will not use my medical knowledge to violate human rights and civil liberties, even under threat.
I make these promises solemnly, freely, and upon my honour.
With huge congratulations to our Year Five student doctors on this momentous occasion. The School is enormously proud of your achievements, all you have contributed to the NHS in such unprecedented times, and we are very much looking forward to keeping up to date with all you go on to do in the future.
All current COVID safety regulations and restrictions were closely adhered to in the organisation and execution of the Declaration taking ceremonies.