The bright, outgoing and very competent foundation doctor working with me that day and I were engaging in some chit-chat whilst we waited for the archaic NHS IT system to load.
International Women’s Day (IWD) imagines a world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination, one that's diverse, equitable and inclusive and where difference is valued and celebrated. Nice words, but one person can’t do much to make a difference can they? It’s down to the people with power to make the big changes right?
I had a bit of a meltdown this year. It is very hard to admit that I had “a bit of a meltdown”. I am going to talk about my struggles this year. I share this personal account for anyone who needs to hear that it is perfectly acceptable to have a meltdown once in a while. (If you do not want to read any further but would like the list of resources for well-being that I have compiled please scroll to the end).
Meetings can be fascinating places, even if the topic at hand is dry. There’s a skill to being a meeting attendee that I think can be learned, and whilst I make no claim to be an expert, the following learning points include mistakes I’m embarrassed to have made…
Having attended previous mentorship courses and workshops I have always realised the benefits of being both a mentor and mentee, yet I have never before signed up to have a mentor. Why? I guess I was worried...
I cycled in because how else was I meant to enjoy the unexpected heatwave during a 12-hour shift? This ran through my mind for the next 2 weeks whilst I sat home dealing with a fractured clavicle and maxillary sinus...
In January 2018 I was at a bit of a loose end. I was in the last 6 months of my CT2b year of ACCS anaesthetics. During a theatre list I was talking to one of my consultants who recommended a year in Australia. What was meant to be one year out turned into four...