Tom Wintle BSc (Hons) Healthcare Science, 2015

Hi, I'm Tom Wintle and I studied BSc (Hons) Healthcare Science within Health Sciences at the University of Southampton.

I knew I wanted to study a science-based degree but I also wanted patient contact – and this course was exactly what I was looking for. I’m really happy with my decision to study at Southampton.

As well as the course and the University's reputation I really liked the grounds along with the atmosphere and wide range of sports on offer.

My degree has offered me the opportunity of working in practice within both respiratory and cardiology environments at the Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth. 

There I was able to meet the whole team including nurses, physiotherapists, doctors and physiologists with whom I quickly built up a rapport. I really felt I was contributing to the team and putting into practice everything I'd learnt so far.

When working in a respiratory role I had the benefit of seeing the same patients on multiple occasions.  This was such a privilege and a great learning opportunity.  I was able to visibly see and study patients with sleep apnoea and insomnia in a clinical environment.

I've since chosen to specialise in cardiology because of the opportunities for career progression within that field. I hope to secure a job as a cardiac physiologist and train to carry out pacemaker implants.

When I qualify I'll be able to carry out ECGs, cardiac checks and pacemaker checks on patients in a catheterisation laboratory - an examination room in a hospital or clinic where heart conditions are diagnosed using diagnostic imaging equipment and treated using catheters instead of surgery. 

Long term I'd like to become a clinical researcher so I can still follow my practice as well as carrying out research and really sinking my teeth into a subject which I find interesting.