DAY 2289-2317

Dec 8 - Jan 5

1) Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2023!! And what a year it has been. Starting where I last left off, the online exams (for the Research in Health Module) went smoothly, although we have yet to receive our results. Hopefully all of us pass and can progress to the next block of research in August, during the first block of Foundation Year 2 training.

2) Trauma and orthopaedics has been an interesting rotation so far, if slightly challenging to wrap one's head around. For example, there are five different wards - Wards 225-228, and Ward 112. Ward 226 is a mixed ward comprising both orthopaedic and spines patients, while Ward 228 is a neurosurgery ward with some ortho / spines patients. Ward 112 is the elective orthopaedic unit which has recently become a trauma unit, but is currently a medical ward. The other wards are more straightforward - Ward 225 is for neck of femur fractures, and Ward 227 is for acute trauma rehab. All of this took me some getting used to.

3) Overall, this is mainly a medical job in a surgical ward. Commonly encountered scenarios include prescribing adequate pain relief, managing constipation, managing infection, checking wound dressing sites, checking post-op X-rays, and medically optimising patients pre- and post-operatively. Based on my limited experience so far, I've found spines to be more challenging than orthopaedics, with more complex presentations requiring senior input. 

4) It is customary to have a New Year's resolution. For me, it is to make it through Foundation Year training, and then decide for certain what I'd like to pursue in life. With any luck, the coming rotations will help me make up my mind. For now, I'm quite happy and content with the way things are going. Hopefully this will be another good year for everyone. Thanks for visiting my blog as always, and have a great year ahead. Cheers!

Merry Xmas from Ward 228 :)

L-R: Myself, Julian, and Amir

A perk of working late shifts (14:00-22:00) is you get this "Nervecentre Device"

- essentially a repurposed iPhone that alerts the doctor of any urgent tasks

Guess who decided to grab two of these today

Freezing at -8° Celsius

Got myself a gym bag for travelling XD

Unexpectedly shift at County Hospital today

Love the Christmas decorations in front of the hospital

A rainy night

Yes, permission was sought beforehand

First time doing bloods in the paediatric ward

Bloods done today

The wards may be poorly staffed, but the staff are well fed :)

New Year, New Haircut

DAY 2240-2266

Oct 20 - Nov 15

1) After what seems like an eternity, I am finally back with another edition of my blog. It's hard to believe that almost a month as passed since then. Anyway, we're approaching the tail end of our first rotation, mine being gastroenterology in Ward 230. Honestly, gastroenterology has been a great rotation thus far, and I could not have asked for more support and guidance from my seniors and colleagues alike. I've found myself on the liver team (hepatology) more often than gastro, but overall working in both sides has been really rewarding. 

2) For my next rotation, I'll be in trauma and orthopaedic surgery. Like my current rotation, it is also split into two sides - two months in trauma and two months in spine. Recently, the T&O team have been organising weekly teaching sessions, which aim to cover common conditions encountered in the ward - such as cauda equina syndrome and spondylodiscitis. I have been attending these and have found them really useful. I have heard stories about this rotation from my colleagues, so I am hoping that by reading up on some basic managements before starting, I would be able to settle in a bit better. 

3) Working is honestly quite different from studying for exams. Firstly, the learning is a lot more opportunistic and less structured. There are of course teaching sessions but they cannot hope to cover the vast knowledge required to manage the ward jobs efficiently. Therefore, you have to be proactive and keep asking around to understand how and why things are done the way they are. I've found the trust guidelines really useful in that respect. It provides a brief overview of steps to manage many common conditions encountered in the wards. 

4) Secondly, you can get as little or as much as you want out of working. For example, you could spend the whole day in the wards carrying out ward jobs like a clerk, and not getting anything out of it at the end of the day. Or you could choose to take the time to understand why certain changes to medications were made, why certain scans were ordered, or why certain patients require additional close monitoring. All of this is part of personal development, which is something heavily emphasised in our portfolio.

5) In addition to all this, as a foundation doctor on the academic pathway (SFP), I am also required to undertake a module called research methods in health, taught by Keele University. It basically comprises statistics and study designs that will be useful when we are start our research block in Foundation Year 2. At the end of the module, we have a written exam consisting of MCQs and SAQs, as well as a 2000-word essay to submit. All in all, plenty to keep me occupied for the rest of this year. And with that, I shall end my blog post here. Thank you for visiting as always, and have a great week ahead. Cheers!

Breakfast after a long night shift (9pm-9am)

Some people get a little queasy at the sight of blood, but for most of us here, it's a relief that we've gotten the blood required for analysis

Remembrance Day today

My first real purchase of anything other than basic food and amenities

Back to being a student then :)

Trauma and orthopaedic teaching Mondays

Unfortunately yesterday's session had to be postponed due to last minute changes

You know it is the correct location when there is a model of the human spine lying around

Free teaching and free lunch - what's not to like?

A nice assortment of sandwiches for lunch

DAY 2181-2203

Aug 22 - Sept 13

1) Just over a month now into my job as  Foundation Year 1 (or F1) doctor in the UK. A brief overview of a typical "normal working day" (NWD) for me would be as follows: updating the handover list before 9am (if not already done), prepping the patient notes as much as we can after that, starting ward rounds with the consultant at 9am, updating the jobs book as we go along, delegating the jobs after the ward round (usually around 12 or 1pm), completing some jobs before going for lunch, then coming back and completing the rest, or handing over to the night team if there are any outstanding jobs at the end of the day. 

2) A typical normal working day is a 9-5 job, however I had only one normal working day yesterday, before having long days for the next three weeks. Essentially, "long day 1" extends from 9:00-21:00, while "long day 2" is from 9:00-19:00. Most of the time, long days (for me at least) are split between two departments - my day job in the gastroenterology ward (from 9-5), and thereafter in the acute medical unit (AMU), emergency department (ED), or frail and elderly assessment unit (FEAU). Every department sees different types of patients, so I've been exposed to a variety of interesting cases especially outside my day job.

3) These past few weeks, I've been really busy preparing for the Prescribing Safety Assessment (PSA) - which we have to pass before the end of Foundation Year 1 if we are to progress in our training. There are three exam dates in a year, and I sat for mine last week. While it is an open book test (you can search the British National Formulary or BNF), the main challenge is time constraint. There are 60 questions to answer in 2 hours, with the first two sections counting for the majority of marks. After an initial scare in setting up my laptop for the exam, I managed to barely finish in time. According to the website, results should be out in two weeks - so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

4) In summary, working as an NHS doctor has been really rewarding - I've learnt a lot and have a whole lot more to learn. Time to keep working on building my portfolio then. Thanks very much for visiting my blog, and have a great week ahead. Cheers!

A sunny day today :)

 Made sunnier by the fact that it was my off-day

Back to work then I guess...

Trying out authentic Thai food at the "Art of Siam" in Newcastle

Sharing life stories with my good friend Clarence

Massaman curry with rice was stunning -

rich and creamy curry with just a hint of spiciness on a hot bed of rice

Sticky toffee pudding with vanilla ice cream to end the meal

Apparently the Doctor's Mess organise an official event once a month - this evening we were at the Orange Tree, and in front of me is a massive beef skewer

A ginormous dish of chocolate brownies with vanilla ice cream

The Clinical Education Centre (CEC) - where we have most of our fortnightly teaching

I've recently discovered the library at the Clinical Education Centre - perfect for some quiet time

What I've learnt from the hospital cafeteria is that they do Curry Thursdays and Chippy Fridays

Can't remember what this was called but it tasted really good

I pass by this area on my way back from work every day 

- it's most likely a park but I've never entered yet XD

DAY 2162-2180

Aug 3 - 21

1) Three weeks into my new job, and things are slowly falling into place. In my first week, I was struggling to familiarise myself with my new work environment, in particular the IT systems e.g. requesting scans, checking patient information, writing discharge letters etc. I didn't fully understand how ward rounds were carried out, or the types of jobs that were common in my ward (i.e. gastroenterology). Also, I came across medical conditions here that would be uncommon back home, as well as unfamiliar abbreviations and medical terminology. 

2) But everything is a learning curve, and I've definitely received ample support and encouragement from my peers, seniors, and fellow allied health colleagues. With such a positive and inclusive environment, it would be difficult not to make some progress. This includes "simple" jobs like updating the handover list, prepping patients' notes before ward rounds, ordering scans / investigations for patients, writing discharge letters, sending and receiving bleeps etc. While there is still an entire mountain's worth of knowledge ahead of me, I can at least look back at how much I've learnt - even in these short period of time.

3) Last week, I had my first taste of "long days" - working from 9:00-21:30. From 9-5pm, I would be in the gastroenterology ward (Ward 230), before heading over to the Acute Medical Unit (AMU) for the remainder of the day. For most of these days, I have been stationed down in the Emergency Department to clerk and examine patients. It is a daunting task, as after taking a patient history and physical examination, we have to fill up the admission care pathway form before reviewing the patient again with the consultant. After that, a management plan is decided upon, and we are required to fill in the post-take proforma, write up the patient's drug chart, and order any investigations / referrals. Suffice to say, long days are quite tiring...

4) In addition to learning the ropes, I have another assessment coming up - the Prescribing Safety Assessment (PSA). This is typically taken by UK medical graduates in their final year of medical school, and it allows candidates to demonstrate their competencies in relation to the safe and effective use of medicine. It is mandatory for all F1 doctors to pass this exam before being allowed to progress to their second year. And as it happens, I have not taken it yet, but am due to sit for it this September. Wish me luck then - I'll definitely need it!

5) As I am in for another week of long days, I think it's best to end my blog post here. As always, thanks very much for visiting, and have a great week ahead. Take care and stay safe, cheers!

Doctors in the mess!

L-R: Dr. Shakoor, Dr. Mannie, Dr. Ibrahim, and myself

Chickpea curry with rice and poppadom for lunch today :)

First long day on the job, and the expression says it all

I guess after a while it become a routine...

Huge full moon tonight - captured while walking back home from work

Fish and chips Fridays are very popular here :)

All decked out in blue today

DAY 2148-2160

Jul 21 - Aug 2

1) After just over a year of preparation, I am finally here in the UK - wide-eyed and ready to begin my training as a Foundation Year 1 doctor. The last few days in Malaysia were quite stressful, as I had so much to pack and so little time to say goodbye to everyone. In hindsight, I really underestimated the work that is required in order to relocate to another country. To everyone whom I did not manage to meet up with, I do apologise but will try my best to do so when I return for holiday.

2) The flight to the UK was relatively smooth. I boarded Etihad Airlines (which had a stop over at Abu Dhabi) and even bumped into my good friend Mariss who was on the same flight! It was really a pleasant surprise as I thought I would be the last person to leave for UK, given that all my other friends had arrived already. On arrival, I found no indications of a heatwave - the temperature was a balmy 15°C and it rained for the next two days. Luckily I had an umbrella with me then...

3) The next couple of days, I had to sort out my bank account and British Residence Permit (BRP). Unfortunately, while I had my Lloyds card, I had forgotten my password and had to reset everything and order a new card. It also meant that I could not update my phone number and address, as I needed a valid BRP to do so. And when I went to the post-office (in Wolstanton) to collect my BRP, the staff told me there was a delay and asked me to come back next week. Obviously I wasn't too happy to hear that.

4) Bank and ID problems aside, everything else has been relatively smooth sailing. I love my new accommodation - a 15-minute walk away from the hospital (Royal Stoke University Hospital). Last week, we had an induction for all new incoming junior doctors, followed by three days of shadowing in the wards. I'm starting off in gastroenterology, followed by trauma & orthopaedic surgery, and then emergency medicine. It definitely takes some getting used to, as the hospital uses a lot of electronic systems that I am unfamiliar with, but I suppose that explains the need for an induction and shadowing period. 

5) I've taken loads of pictures along the way, so just click the link below and scroll down if you're interested. Thanks very much for visiting my blog as always, and have a great week ahead. Take care and stay safe, cheers!

Royal Stoke University Hospital - my workplace for the next two years

Beyond excited (and nervous!) to officially begin my journey as a Foundation Year 1 doctor :)

Last day in Malaysia before boarding the plane to Manchester - gotta have something special for breakfast

My favourite curry rice at Woolley Food City

Saying goodbye to the dog my dad and I normally pass by during our morning jog

A very happy and contented cat

Goodbye grandpa - I'll see you soon!

Very grateful to my cousin for giving us a lift <3

Till next holiday dad

Love you loads mom

Thanks Pei Ying for coming along!

So this is it - farewell Malaysia (for the next two years anyway)!

What a coincidence to bump into a fellow RUMC graduate - my good friend Mariss!

Sleep-deprived us struggling to stay awake to board the next plane 

(this was taken at a stop over in Abu Dhabi)

The stewardess referred to this as Arabian eggs - it was absolutely amazing!

Bought two study tables and a study lamp at B&M - need to get my essentials before starting work

Stoke-On-Trent Railway Station - on my way to London today for an ID check with the General Medical Council (GMC)

Lovely morning today

And here comes the train (the one on the far right)

Finished my appointment with the GMC - successfully obtained provisional registration :)

350 Euston Road is their headquarters

Beautiful mural on my way to lunch

The Palace Theatre, London

Lunch today at Hawksmoor Seven Dials

The look on my face says it all - excited to try their award-winning steak which was recently ranked as the "best steak in the world"!

Surprise surprise - met up with my good friend Sai here! (okay we planned for this)

I got the sirloin well done, while Sai got his rib eye medium rare :)

There's always room for dessert!

Dark chocolate and salted caramel gelato combo - at Gelupo

Was really fun catching up with you bro

Clinical Education Centre - first day of induction as the new junior doctors

The best choice indeed!

Yet another happy and contented cat!

Furama Palace - time for some Chinese food today

Beef fried hor fun was huge in flavour

With my new friend and fellow colleague in the same department, Dr. Clarence

Beautiful flowers on the way back from collecting my BRP card