Crossword Genius

Progressing when doing hospital duty? (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

onwards

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'doing hospital duty?' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'progressing when' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'when' could be 'on' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'on' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'wards' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for onwards that I've seen before include "To a point ahead" , "In a forward direction" , "Moving forward (and upwards?)" , "Going ahead" , "Forwards" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Independent.
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