Medicine at Cambridge too ambitious?

Actually, increasingly it does matter.
You're right, that if you work just in the NHS which university you study at will not impact your ability to get a job. There is data suggesting that it does influence your likelihood of passing the postgraduate royal college exams first time - but that is surmountable
However there's an increasing number of UK trained doctors (and nurses) who leave the NHS to work in the private sector or abroad. Outside the NHS where you studied does matter. With that in mind, I think a sixth-former should think carefully about where they apply to - accepting that they may not have a choice if they only get one offer.

Actually, increasingly it does matter.
You're right, that if you work just in the NHS which university you study at will not impact your ability to get a job. There is data suggesting that it does influence your likelihood of passing the postgraduate royal college exams first time - but that is surmountable
However there's an increasing number of UK trained doctors (and nurses) who leave the NHS to work in the private sector or abroad. Outside the NHS where you studied does matter. With that in mind, I think a sixth-former should think carefully about where they apply to - accepting that they may not have a choice if they only get one offer.

Hi, this is somewhat irrelevant to the discussion going on but can I ask if anyone knows Cambridge’s attitudes to people who have been on free school meals/are currently on the 16-19 bursary (also do they consider other circumstances like being raised in a single-parent household for the majority of one’s life). Everyone has been really helpful and I’m very grateful for all the advice and information I’ve received.
Thank you!

If you aren't even out of high school yet, you won't be thinking about ditching the NHS yet. This person should not worry about silly things such as the uni they get into, just if they get into uni, then afterwards they can decide if they want to stay or go. It is pretty easy to get a job basically anywhere as a doctor if you already have the medicine degree, it is just a case of some tests usually as almost everywhere is always short on doctors.

Cambridge will consider all applicants holistically and with extenuating circumstances such as yours. They will interview most, if not all, whom they think would achieved the academic results for A level, not just predicted A (as most time it's quite biased).
But it does goes down to academic ability and a "rounded" candidate.
Depending on which course you are applying to, there are specific (not official but they are observed to have more outreach programme) colleges that have more outreach to extenuating circumstances students from
state schools, inclusive of your mentioned circumstances.

Thank you for the reply, this information is extremely helpful!

Do keep an eye on Fitzwilliam and Pembroke college. These 2 colleges tend to have more outreach to states chool students, although all 31 colleges supposed to have equal outreach programmes. You can go to Cam website and search for ongoing events. They usually have a year round activities, eg webinars, how to apply, personal statement writing, summer schools (Sutton Trust) etc.

That is interesting, I will definitely look out for that. Currently I’ve applied and been lucky enough to be accepted into some programmes such as STEM SMART, Caius 12 and Pathways to Bath. I will be looking out for more events though, perhaps some sort of competition? Thank you for you help!

I'm Scottish (how could you have guessed 🤣) so I can't give much advice on GCSE retakes as we don't do retakes here in Scotland.
If you think you will end up getting a higher score than your last, your school will let you and you it won't have a negative impact on your a-levels, I don't see why not.