Does caring for close family members quality as healthcare experience for GEM?

So I have worked in A&E, mental health services, domiciliary care and in the third sector but this was more than three years ago. I did not realise that medical work experience has to be so recent - which is a mistake on my part for sure but trying to mitigate this for my current GEM application for 2024.

I do look after close family members with a cocktail of conditions and am a registered carer for my mother - would this (alongside my years of experience across primary and secondary care) suffice or do I need something more robust within the last few years?

Thanks very much in advance

Reply 1

TSR Hippocrates

Hey there, thanks for posting a question in the Medicine forum. :biggrin:

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Reply 2

Scotland Yard

Clearing and Applications Advisor, Universities Forum Helper

I'd advice that you ask on the 2024 entry GEM thread, lots of knowledgeable people there that will know more than me, but this my answer/best guess (please do ask on the GEM thread though!):

I went to an applying to GEM talk at my uni a week or two ago, and someone asked about how important it is to have recent experience, since they did a lot of things during their gap year, which was three years ago. An admissions officer from Barts & the London said that recent experience is very much recommended, but that their old experience wouldn't be totally discounted. I'd then assume that, since you are your mum's registered carer, that does count as recent experience - but please ask on the GEM thread I linked to above and message the admissions department of the unis you're applying to!

Wish you the best of luck :smile: