A FORMER Bury College student is celebrating after qualifying as a GP.

Gabriella Hayden, who left the college in 2012, recently qualified as a junior doctor after completing a medicine degree at The University of Manchester.

After leaving the college, in Market Street, with A*s in A Level Chemistry and Biology and an A in Mathematics at the college, Gabriella embarked on her five-year degree course, where she divided her time between completing placements and studying.

The former Harper Green School pupil completed placements at various GP practices as well as at Christie NHS Cancer Trust and Wythenshawe Hospital where she worked on transplant surgeries.

She also spent time at Stepping Hill Hospital working with paediatric patients.

The 24-year-old sat her last exam in January and qualified as a junior doctor in May. Later this month, she will begin the first of two years at Macclesfield District General where she will complete her on the job training and a further year training at a GP surgery.

Gabriella, who now lives in Withington, said, “I am so excited to start the next stage of my career as a junior doctor. I feel really happy that I have made the right career choice for me and I couldn’t have achieved this without the support of Bury College. My career goals were identified early and I was given the right help and guidance to succeed.”