Current trainee on a different training programme thinking of applying to anaesthetics. For family reasons I need to stay in South London (if by some miracle I do well in MSRA this intake). Current trainees, what are departments like at Kings, St George's, St Helier's and Lewisham? I just want to avoid toxic, unsafe departments tbh

Aiming to do the MRes program next September and was hoping to know about any funding sources as most of the courses are now >10K.

Something interesting came up at work today.

I was talking with a patients’ Mum and they requested a copy of an email that was sent about them by a colleague to a consultant regarding their care.

I don’t have access to the email, and wouldn’t have thought it appropriate to supply this to the patients relative. I know patients can request copies of their records, but does this include documents such as emails that are sent about them?

I highly suspect the answer is no, but I thought it was an Interesting question!

So it was the last day of my first FY1 placement today. Even though it wasnt a very good experience and I couldnt wait to leave while working there, I cant help but feel sad about leaving the place now.

Anyone else feel the same?

F1 here moving into Urology Wednesday from a medical rotation.

Gen surgical on calls.

Any tips of presentations to expect in urology, common cases.

Any useful things to read over / guidelines to read over.

Any useful skills / activities to get most of the rotation?

I'm a keen fy1 and like getting the most out of each rotation. Thank you

F2 , wanting to make some extra money on the side to help with Bills. Not finding any locums. Would like a remote job on the side to help pay my mortgage. Anyone recommend something please? 🥺

Hi - I've applied for the ACF for paediatrics starting in 2025,

Thought I would start a thread to find out what stages applications are at

Currently I have on Oriel

East midlands - interview - although no interview invite sent out

East of England - longlist - shortlist in progress

London - longlist - short list in progress.

Am trying to figure something out but have been unable to find sufficient information, like it is some well guarded secret.

Does anyone know the dates of the MRCEM Intermediate exams and pass marks of the past few years? 2021-2023

Thanks

I was speaking to a buddy of mine earlier this week who is an F2 is about to just finish his first 4 month rotation in A&E at a big London hospital which is also a trauma centre. He told me that they have been told due to clinical numbers and service requirements, they were not allowed to take study leave at all during this block (including for portfolio/career things like taster weeks), unless they are in the AFP/SFP and are presenting as a first author at a conference.

Is this even allowed? He was hoping to do a taster week this rotation, but couldn't, and so he couldn't get the points for his specialty application for the portfolio component. Apparently the TPD is aware of it and just stated 'Yeah we're aware, can't do anything about it, up to the department.'

On top of this, they have been told that if they are working on a bank holiday, they can get 8 hours in lieu (even though their standard shifts are 10 hours??). Just seems like a very stingy department with no respect for residents.

Looking to connect with people who are in a similar boat to me. I am an F1 planning on leaving for Australia or New Zealand. I have contacted a few agencies however haven't received any responses. Is there anything I can be doing now to strengthen my chances of getting a job?

Is it appropriate to bring my own head lamp in surgery? I don't have one but thinking of buying one for vaginal surgeries. It really helps if in a room not in theatre.

Anyone has experience or knowledge about that?

Hi,

I'm keen to do a PGCert in Med Ed.

I can see the 6month Iheed one is the shortest. Lookign through old posts there doesn't seem to be a consensus RE how legit it is.

Has anyone actually done it? Did it count for your speciality application points? Would you recommend it over a year long one?

Do you reckon whether the Oriel allocations are now completed for Feb start and if an applicant has not heard back confirm no allocation?

Hi all new FY1, my ALS is tomorrow and I haven’t done a single bit of prep. Not to mention I’m pretty ill after this set of weekend shifts. What would happen if I called in sick, and who would I have to contact?

Just wanted to check.

I finish this rotation on Tuesday at 1600 and starts nights for the next rotation next day at 2000.

Is this acceptable or can I tell Rota co-ordinator that can’t work Tuesday?

Doctor here. At a point in my career where I’ve seen enough to worry and have some skill in guiding with serious topics but not enough experience to talk through options with confidence and heavily caveating any thing I say beyond usefulness.

Bad news within my partners family.

Seems in that frame of mind of, not sure they want to talk about it much. Matter of fact, staying in control. Wants to wait a few months before making a decision.

I want to tell them that they could have 20 good years ahead of them.

We’re close enough but have never been properly personal. The kids, all grown with families, don’t seem to really be engaging with the news in the sense that days are running into weeks and the apparent gravity of the situation doesn’t really seem to have landed. There’s a lot of delicacy and respect and letting the individual remain in control - totally understandable.

Trying to navigate my own feelings on it and understand the role as the ‘medical one’ within the family. On the one hand I don’t want to usurp anyone else, on the other hand recognise I could be an ear to lend, but having to be careful with respect to tightrope of inappropriate advice giving.

I’m just feeling a little lost with respect to how to handle things. I know enough to be worried about a ticking clock but not enough to really have attained wisdom and don’t want to cause offense, misstep and destroy trust or overstep the mark. But on the other hand our collective delicacy as a family must be leaving the person feeling isolated even if they won’t admit it.

Wondering if our wonderful medical hive mind has any pearls to offer?

EDIT: thank you all for the thoughtful responses, very useful

Why is steroid treatment for some infections standard practice (ie. Croup) but not others? I remember being taught that the anti-inflammatory effect of steroids can weaken the body's ability to fight infections but we don't seem worried about there being a parainfluenza rebound after dex.

Also we'll give steroids with antibiotics for infective exacerbations of COPD and Asthma but Abx alone for cellulitis. Is it just one of those experience-based practice things that doesn't fit neatly in a box? What's the pathophysiological reason why steroids behave differently for some infections and not others?

I have my exam next month. I am done with emrcs. I want to do pastest but not the whole bank because I don’t have time. What are the most important topics to cover? Along with past papers and Mocks of course

I have done 2 cycles of an audit & presented at a meeting. The consultant in charge of this is ignoring my emails requesting a certificate. Without the audit certificate I will drop below the points needed for interview in my chosen specialty. I have until next Thursday to upload my evidence. Who do I speak to? What do I do?

A lot can be said about the social media snooping scandal. There’s an argument to be made that it’s all publicly available stuff and then can do what they like with it - yeah, they can try that argument if they like.

But after decades of problems - the institutional racism that they tried to appeal against rather than reflect upon, the Bawa-Garba fiasco, the suicides, the PA scandal, the dodgy investments, the corporate perks, the appointment of Massey - are we finally reaching a critical mass of anger?

We need to find a way to capitalise on the current mood. We can’t let them wave it all away and carry on as usual. This sub regularly talks about withholding fees, BMA action, shadow registers and suchlike. But we need a clear, organised plan and we need to move forward with it. We should look to the example of Anaesthetists United to see what can be done with the right motivation and application.

I’ve written to my MP to explain the various problems with the GMC. Maybe that’s a starting point. But we need more and in large numbers.

Where do we start?

F3, looking to locum in ED. No prior experience. I've reached out to UCLH and GSTT but they require significant UK ED experience. Anyone know a department which will take SHOs with no prior experience?

I recently received a payslip stating "Overpayment Adj £33.95" and "Weekend Pay Arrs -£33.95". The last time I worked for the NHS was over 10 months ago. Does anyone know what this code means? Was I overpaid by £34?

Looking for suggestions something light but will give me a lot of energy to finish my shift efficiently Any good bar suggestions?

Anyone moved somewhere new without knowing anyone or the city and struggled? Or it is possible to do okay or is the job just too overwhelming?

Similar to the other recent post but positive lol. (From an under-inspired FY)

Long story short, I've been through a pretty amicable but heartbreaking break-up with a long-term partner. Due to the current PIA system, I live away from my core support network, and I'm finding this incredibly difficult to manage.

In addition, due to the PIA system, I'm due to move even further away next year. Of course I'm still raw at the moment, and August is still a time away, but I'm quite scared about the thought of it.

Are there any options for me to explore that have worked for people in the past, who've been through similar situations? Thank you so much.

Is there any black friday discount for pass medicine?

Anyone here who’s done/doing public health? How has your journey been?

Fy1 interested in applying for anaesthetics/ACCS - any courses people recommend?

Know of ATLS, BASICS, IMPACT, APLS, EPLS but they cost so much! Any way to get these cheap/paid for? (We don’t get study bursary in FY1)

Thanks!