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There are a multitude of careers available within the fields of health and medicine. The following is a discussion of some of the primary health care roles, along with the wider healthcare workers who provide the support they need.

DOCTORS
Medicine is about treating illness and providing advice and reassurance. This requires examination of the symptoms presented, and consideration of a range of possible diagnoses. An enquiring mind, the capacity to maintain high levels of up-to-date knowledge and the ability to relate to people, as individuals, each with their own health needs, are essential attributes. There are paths to over 60 different specialties, from working in a hospital as a surgeon to being based in the community as a GP.

Specialties fall into the following groups:

Medical specialties
Medical specialties cover most of the conditions for which people are admitted to hospital. Roles range from accident and emergency medicine to clinical genetics. Many specialties focus on particular organs such as the heart (cardiology), or disease processes such as cancers (oncology).

Surgical specialties
Surgeons specialise in operating on particular parts of the body, addressing specific injuries, diseases or degenerative conditions.

Psychiatry
Psychiatrists specialise in mental ill health, with new services being developed to support acute and community care.

General Practice
For most people, GPs are the first point of contact with the NHS. They provide a complete range of care within the local community; dealing with problems that often combine physical, psychological and social components.

Paediatrics
Paediatricians diagnose and provide treatment for babies, infants, children and adolescents who have medical problems or are not developing properly. They are also experts in normal child growth, development and feeding.

Obstetrics and gynaecology
Obstetricians and gynaecologists give specialised medical treatment and advice related to the female reproductive system, and care for women during pregnancy and childbirth. Much of their work involves caring for women who have difficult or complicated pregnancies.

Pathology
Pathologists specialise in the detection of disease through the use of a variety of analytical techniques. This can be vital in finding an accurate, early diagnosis, thus improving the prospects for treatment. It is fundamental in the management of cancer care. They also play an important role in identifying sources of disease and reducing possible risks of further spread.

Radiology
Radiologists specialise in the detection of disease through the use of a variety of investigative techniques. This is fundamental to the management of cancer care.

Anaesthetics
Anaesthetists are essential members of the surgical team, and are also involved in developing treatments to relieve chronic pain.

Ophthalmology
Ophthalmologist's diagnosis and treat disorders of the eye and visual system.

NURSES
Nurses form the largest NHS staff category and are a crucial to the healthcare team. Nurses work in health settings from accident and emergency to patients' homes, with people of all ages and backgrounds. Few professions offer so much job satisfaction and support, while improving patients' lives.

Career options
Registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is a prerequisite to working in the NHS. This requires a nursing degree or diploma. The NHS provides support by paying tuition fees and eligibility for a bursary is usual.
There are other ways to become a registered nurse:

Work up from being a healthcare assistant (which may not require any qualifications).
Begin your professional study after gaining "A" levels.

In either case, it is possible to progress and apply for a place on a degree or diploma course.

Depending on experience and training, there are many development opportunities, including:

Adult nurses
Adult nurses work with those suffering with diverse chronic and acute conditions. They organise priorities and use all aspects of interpersonal skills to improve quality of patients' lives, sometimes in difficult situations.

Mental health nurses
33% of people have a mental health problem at some point, ranging from personality and psychological disorders to neuroses and psychoses. Increasingly, care is given in the community, with psychiatric nurses visiting patients and their families at home, or specialist clinics. This is a valuable role that provides much reward and satisfaction.

Paediatric nurses
Paediatric nursing involves working with children of all ages who are suffering from many conditions. Children's nurses deal with a range of situations, including babies born with heart complications, teenagers who have sustained broken limbs, and child protection issues. Like other branches of nursing, care is becoming more community-based.

Learning disability nurses
Learning disability nurses make a difference to the everyday aspects of life that patients find challenging. Teaching someone the skills to find work or to make a cup of tea can be significant in helping a person with a learning disability to lead a more independent, healthy life.

Practice nurses
Practice nurses work in GP surgeries as part of a primary care team. Qualification and experience as a registered nurse are necessary. This role offers variety for those who have highly developed communication and organisational skills, who working flexibly.

Healthcare assistants
Work with nurses, midwives and other healthcare professionals, helping with care and looking after patients' comfort and well-being.

WIDER HEALTHCARE TEAM
The team offers a variety of career options, essential to the running of the NHS. Members of the team design, construct and maintain NHS buildings, run catering, supply linen, clean the wards, book appointments and much more. There are six main areas of the wider healthcare team, each playing a vital part in patient care.

Available careers include:

Administration
Efficient record keeping and administration can save lives. Healthcare professionals need fast access to patients' notes to make vital decisions. Administrative staff need to communicate clearly with patients and outside organisations to ensure everyone contacting the health service receives a first-class response.

Estates
Most hospitals today consist of multiple buildings and extensive grounds and maintaining them is an ongoing challenge. This is dependent on an estates team involving such as gardening, painting and maintaining equipment. Safe, attractive surroundings and a bright, welcoming environment can have a positive impact on patients' well-being.

Corporate services
Corporate staff work in areas such as finance, personnel and building design. However, some such as chaplains and health education officers have direct contact with patients and relatives.

Clinical support services
Clinical support staff assist healthcare professionals in several settings across the NHS. Laboratory work aids diagnosis, while others visit patients in their own homes, assisting with treatment or providing general care.

Domestic services
Domestic services staff help make sure that everyone who visits or works in a hospital benefits from good meals and a clean, attractive environment.

Support services
Support staff assist in laboratories, move patients, staff and equipment around the hospital site and look after security. They ensure supplies are available and surgical instruments are sterilised ready for theatre.

Whatever your situation and strengths, the medical health profession has the answer. Those wanting to play a part in helping to look after patients and to provide healthcare for the future, can be assured of finding an appropriate role. Whether interested in improving quality of life (doctors and nurses), in providing hospitality, in administration, in estates or in human resources (wider healthcare team), a career in medicine is worthy of consideration.