London medical student triumphs in national competition

A medical student studying at King's College London, hailing from Southwark, has won a national competition hosted by the General Medical Council (GMC) and Medical Schools Council (MSC).The annual competition sees those training to be doctors across the UK compete against each other to create learning resources and develop their professional skills in the process.

This year’s edition asked medical students to create engaging online content exploring why sustainability in healthcare is included as a duty in the GMC’s core guidance for doctors.

Shahid Ahmadi, a second-year medical student at King's College London, came out on top with his winning video entry about sustainable practices in healthcare - inspired by his time on work experience placements in hospitals in the capital and while studying.

In the video, the 20-year-old explains how doctors and fellow students help create a culture of sustainability through small changes, such as organising medicine supplies correctly to avoid waste, recycling textbooks, and speaking up politely against inefficient practices.

Shahid said:

‘The inspiration came from everyday habits in healthcare that shape the NHS we will one day inherit, and so sustainability felt more personal as something we as students can influence.

‘It's given me confidence that creative communication matters in medicine. If one student walks away thinking about how they could manage sustainability differently in the NHS, then every second was worth it.’

Judges praised Shahid’s entry for his innovation, which combined his medical knowledge with his recently found passion for cinematography.

Professor Pushpinder Mangat, the GMC’s Medical Director and Director, Education and Standards, who was part of the judging panel, said:

‘We received high-quality entries across the board, showing a fantastic understanding of sustainability. The winning entry stood out for its innovative and highly engaging approach, with content tailored specifically for medical students. It encouraged small, achievable changes while presenting the importance of sustainable practices.’

Clare Owen, Director of the Medical Schools Council, said:

‘We received a diverse range of creative entries this year, with enthusiastic participation from medical students. This video stood out for its entertaining and relatable approach to the brief. The judges were thoroughly impressed and found it both engaging and impactful.’

The video will now be shared with all UK medical schools as a learning resource, and Shahid will receive £500 in vouchers for his winning entry, available to watch above.