A SOUTHSIDE woman has hailed a volunteer role as a key factor in landing her dream role.

Carla Verschueren feared her dreams of becoming a doctor would never be fulfilled after her third application to study medicine was unsuccessful.

However, it was fourth time lucky for the 27-year-old who was finally accepted after taking on a voluntary role as a public partner with the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC).

In her role, Carla helped to provide a public voice in medicine decision-making, which she credits for giving her the edge over fellow university applicants.

Carla, from Muirend, said: “I’m so happy. I had just finished a degree in immunology and received my third unsuccessful application to study medicine when a friend told me that SMC was recruiting for a public partner and I should have a think about it.

“After looking into it I felt it was the ideal role for me so I applied and it’s turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Ultimately I think it has really made the difference in making my application to study medicine stand out this time.

“Being a doctor has been a dream for a long time and I’m really excited it is finally going to be a reality.”

SMC is the national source of advice on the clinical and cost-effectiveness of new medicines for NHS Scotland, ensuring that people in Scotland have timely access to beneficial new medicines.

Carla took on the SMC role three years ago whilst she was working as a call handler for NHS 24 during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The role involves attending the SMC monthly decision-making meetings as part of the voting committee that decides on the availability of new medicines in Scotland.

Carla added: “To hear from patient representatives about the impact that illness and disease have on people and their everyday lives has been very insightful. It’s given me a much greater understanding of the issues that people can face and the importance and impact that new medicines can have.

“The post has given me the unique opportunity to listen to patients and carers and allowed me to appreciate the different views people have about what quality of life should mean for them.

“I was able to reflect on what I’ve learned with SMC in my interview to study medicine and I’ve got no doubt the experience I’ve had in the role has been hugely beneficial for me.”

Carla begins the Scottish Graduate Entry Medicine (ScotGEM) programme, which is designed to develop doctors interested in a career in rural medicine, in September. Her studies will be split between the Universities of St Andrews and Dundee.

She explained: “From a young age, I’ve taken on roles that involve working with and caring for others. I’ve volunteered in a school for children with additional support needs, befriended people with dementia in a local care home and delivered snacks to patients in wards in a hospital.

“Being a doctor has been a dream for a long time and I’m really excited it is finally going to be a reality.

“The public partner role at SMC has given me so much to take forward. It’s been a challenging and really rewarding experience with supportive and helpful people. I’d encourage anyone interested in the role to go for it if they think it could be for them.”

SMC is currently recruiting for the public partner role. For more information, visit here.