A First-Class relocation for Andrew

Andrew McCarter relocated from the Republic of Ireland to study Physiotherapy at the University of Teesside.

His move was a highly successful one, as he graduates today with a First Class Honours degree and will also receive the Electro-Medical Supplies Prize for the highest average clinical placement marks. Andrew also clinched his first post as a Physiotherapist at Bishop Auckland General Hospital straight after finishing his studies in the summer.

Andrew, 26, is originally from Greystones, County Wicklow, Ireland. He achieved his first degree in Rehabilitation studies in Wolverhampton, and went on to work in sports rehab for several teams. Over three years ago, Andrew decided to apply for a second degree in Physiotherapy. He said: “I needed a more medical type of qualification and saw Physiotherapy as a rewarding, diverse job with so many options. I chose Teesside as it was listed as one of the top four places in the UK to study Physiotherapy.”

After his first term at Teesside, Andrew and his sister Emma spent their Christmas break working voluntarily in India. They helped to build homes for families affected by leprosy and Andrew also worked in a hospital with their physiotherapist. Andrew said: “I always wanted to do some kind of voluntary work and my Dad had a contact in the leprosy mission, who led to the placement. In the hospital I helped to treat patients who’d suffered strokes and patients who had been affected by leprosy and polio. Everyone was unbelievably friendly, in spite of the poverty they were living in.”

Andrew’s parents Ross and Jennifer will be attending his graduation. He now lives in Durham, house sharing with two other Physiotherapy graduates from his cohort who are working at the University Hospital of North Tees. Andrew said: “I was delighted to get the First and the prize, and I love everything about the job, its diversity and meeting all the different patients and getting their appreciative comments.”

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