Dean's Update | January 2023
Janus, the roman god for gateways and transitions, with faces simultaneously looking forwards and back, is an appropriate connection to January and perhaps reflected also in our two Liver Birds.
This week, I have greatly enjoyed looking back to why I chose medicine, reminded as our newest applicants to the School shared what is important to them about being a doctor. I was thinking also about how much this connects to the message from Professor Dame Carrie MacEwan, Chair of the GMC, to all who are sharing life together in the NHS – “Remember that, even in the most difficult of circumstances, you are lifting spirits, improving outcomes and transforming lives. Take time to acknowledge these positives and take pride in all that you’ve done and continue to do.”
The privilege to connect with patients on a personal level still gives me great pleasure in my own clinics, however much systems might thwart their smooth progress.
We can expect our NHS world to continue to be topsy turvy for some time, but everything you can do to put a smile on the face of a patient, or a colleague, really matters, and the attention that you give daily to your training, so that you can be the best possible doctor, will underpin the future salvaging of UK patient care.
Why we entered medicine, and what this means for us as a choice of life, is also something that creates a special bond between us. Whether we are just setting out on our medical journey or nearing its end, we are part of a medical family, connected by values. I am very much looking forward to enjoying the many upcoming events in the School, enhanced by the values of care for others and inclusion that we all uphold.
It is to be expected that the current abusive trend of drink spiking should never feature at medic-based events, but as highlighted in your bulletin recently, I hope you will take good care of each other and make use of the resources available.
This week, I have also enjoyed being part of the Joint Academy of Medical Royal Colleges Training Forum, considering how our future doctors will be supported as they pursue exciting careers.
Within the School, our careers and portfolio teams are working to help you look towards such steps and I’m grateful to local clinical leads involved in postgraduate training, for providing upcoming sessions on what you can do now, so as to ace that future application later.
For some, intercalation can also help develop additional career enhancing skills or experiences, and there are also many opportunities advertised regularly in the School bulletin, to be part of something special and earn recognition, so make sure you don’t miss out!
Perhaps like me, you are not a fan of dark winter mornings. If so, there is a great chance, beyond the upcoming social events, to add brightness to an otherwise drab month and boost those endorphins, through meeting with friends and enjoying the many Feel Good February campus events that will have us all ready for the spring in no time.