when should you have started hospital work experience for medicine application

I'm in year 12 and it's currently november. I have been trying to sort out work experience in a hospital or volunteering in a hospice but i've only managed to get a volunteering place at a charity shop so far. is that bad? or is it normal since it's only just november? i don't have any sort of connection or any thing and I live in London btw

I think you should go to several local GP surgeries and hospitals to ask for some work experience. Dress smart and try to speak with a Dr, Nurse or Receptionist.

thanks for the advice
Do you think that will be better than just calling them?

thanks for the advice
Do you think that will be better than just calling them?

I think it is alright to call, but some people like physical contact. To me, I’d physically visit some practices and hospitals that are local then call the rest. If you have a local uni with a medical school or medical sciences department, maybe you can reach out to them too.

In London, you have Kings, UCL, Imperial etc.

Nobody wants physical contact in the first instance. They will all be busy doing other things and just not meet with someone or be very irritated. Better to call or email and then visit if they ask to meet you

Why did you just generalise like that? People are different and you never know which ones like to be approached.

It is a generalisation, but an accurate one. Just turning up to someone's office, should you be able to find it, is weird at best, a perceived security threat and getting asked to leave at worst.

I would encourage phone calls in the first instance.

Why did you just generalise like that? People are different and you never know which ones like to be approached.

Believe me the GP surgeries are inundated with potential medical students wanting work experience. My husband is a solicitor and he gets several emails a week asking the same. Drives him nuts

Fair. So how do you suggest OP goes about it? Offer solutions ...

In my opinion, it is the way that it is done, that was why I added receptionists. If the OP went to a big hospital, the receptionist may be able to help find someone. This is work experience and not asking for their left arm.

I'm in year 12 and it's currently november. I have been trying to sort out work experience in a hospital or volunteering in a hospice but i've only managed to get a volunteering place at a charity shop so far. is that bad? or is it normal since it's only just november? i don't have any sort of connection or any thing and I live in London btw

Receptionists are too busy to be looking for someobody a person might talk to about work experience (if they even knew who that was) and would likely tell them to call or email (or just sorry, can't help!).
A big hospital will employ hundreds of people and a receptionist is not likely to know who co-ordinates work experience.
If someone turned up, without an appointment, at my surgery asking for work experience, then the answer would be no, as they have clearly zero insight into a busy working day, and I know many othr medics who would feel the same. It is not professional to turn up, on the off chance, and try to speak to people about this sort of thing.
Call or email (or both) first

Care homes are always good - reading to the residents, volunteering in a charity shop ( BHF) looks good. Hospitals run volunteer schemes - I know mine does. Fund raising for charities - you will get something off the back of that.

Yes - GP surgeries too but be careful - they do get fed up with all the students

I understand that point, but the issue is that it is very difficult to get a good opportunity without being proactive. Visiting a surgery can be beneficial, if a receptionist or a doctor/nurse sees the individual and then advises the kid about any opportunities. Cold calling doctors or nurses may be ignored because people just ignore them. Also, we know that many people ignore emails or send bland responses.

Well yeah, but that's not what happens in real life because people are busy working. A better approach would be to send an email or a letter - like the others have said.

I understand that point, but the issue is that it is very difficult to get a good opportunity without being proactive. Visiting a surgery can be beneficial, if a receptionist or a doctor/nurse sees the individual and then advises the kid about any opportunities. Cold calling doctors or nurses may be ignored because people just ignore them. Also, we know that many people ignore emails or send bland responses.