Ahmed

Once doctors are settled in the NHS, they decide to think about giving a post graduate exam. Some find it difficult. Some may not even want to give an exam and just gain knowledge to use in their clinical work. Either way, the principle is more or less the same which I will discuss in this blog in the form of frequently asked questions. Frequently asked questions ON POST GRADUATE EXAMS I have started working in the NHS. I would like to give a post graduate exam. My advice is to focus on your job for now. Get used to the NHS system for now. This will help you in the long run.  When should I consider giving the post graduate exam? Give yourself at least 6 months.  Why do I need to be well settled? So that you are not worried about anything at work and can concentrate on your exam fully.  But I think I can manage. I am about to start my first job and have booked my post graduate exam in 2 months. Working in a new environment and giving exams can be very difficult. In ...

A training ST3 post is considered to be one of the most difficult stages in a doctors career in the NHS. However, with proper planning and experience, ST3 can be an amazing experience. Go through the official guideline here: http://www.st3recruitment.org.uk Here are some frequently asked questions: What is ST3? This is a registrar post.  Please go through the training structure here: https://naseersjourney.com/2017/03/12/training-structure-in-the-uk/ What are the different specialties? http://www.st3recruitment.org.uk/specialties/overview These are so many! How do I choose what I want to do? This is something you need to decide based on your personal experience rather than someone else telling you. This rule applies to everything in life- be it your career, a specific car, a specific airline, house you wish to buy, etc.  How do I get that personal experience? By working in that specialty for at least a few months. Yes, you can always do taster sessions but sometime...

This document is designed to give you a general overiew of the geography of the UK and it's regions. The United Kingdom: The United Kingdom is divided into four countries: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The Republic of Ireland (Southern Ireland) is a separate Country. Capital Cities: UK and England's capital City – London Scotland's capital – Edinburgh Wales capital – Cardiff Northern Ireland's capital – Belfast UK counties: The UK is further divided into 'Counties.' These are small regions varying in size within the four countries. English Counties: Link to list of counties: https://www.geni.com/projects/Counties-of-England-United-Kingdom/9199 Map: Counties of Scotland: Counties of Wales: Counties of Northern Ireland: UK Flag: English Flag: Scotland Flag: Welsh Flag: Northern Ireland Flag: UK City Map (not exhaustive):

A Brief History of Britain This is a very brief history of the British Isles. It is written to (hopefully) give you a flavour of the rich history and how you can visit the sites today. Please get in touch if you have any questions or notice any mistakes/inconsistencies. Part 1: Ancient Britain: 6000 BC: Sea levels rose as the latest 'Ice Age' receded, creating a channel of water between continental Europe and Britain. The people living on the Island where mainly hunter gatherers until between 5000-4000 BC when they began to Farm. Ancient British people were a mixture of peoples as migration continued to the Island. From the start of the Bronze age (2500 BC) technology progressed and the population began to increase through to the Iron age before the Romans invaded. The Ancient people did not leave written records but did leave significant archaeological sites. The most famous of these is a stone circle called Stonehenge (Salisbury, Wiltshire) which can still be visite...

Quality improvement projects are an important part of every doctors training in the UK. These can be done at any level - whether it is a training post or a non training post. What is a quality improvement project? In simple terms, it involves the following: 1. Identifying an issue in the system which can be fixed. 2. Measuring the effects of the current system (eg in the form of a proforma). 3. Thinking of a change - ie making a recommendation 4. Implementing that change 5. Measuring the effects of the new system. 6. Presenting the whole process (in the form of a presentation or a poster). Are there any common examples? For example, if you do not like the new cannulas your trust has started using, you can make a proforma and give it to the junior doctors, nurses and clinical support team members who cannulate patients frequently.  You have thus "measured" the current affects of this system. Now you can talk to the head of supply and other professionals involved in this and...

I have made a guideline on stroke and its management in the NHS based on my experience. This is only for educational purposes and if in doubt, kindly refer to your local guidelines and ask your seniors. Please remember that these guidelines vary from trust to trust which you will be introduced to during your induction and your first few days in your trust. THE BASICS There are 2 types of stroke: 1. Hemorrhagic stroke - which is bleed in the brain 2. Ischemic stroke - when there is a clot in one of the arteries supplying the brain which results in an ischemic infarct. Hemorrhagic stroke is classified into: 1. Intracerebral hemorrhage Bleeding within the brain tissue 2. Subarachanoid hemorrhage Bleeding outside the brain tissue but within in the skull Ischemic strokes have different classifications. Each trust may use its own classification. The most commonly used classification is known as the Bamford/Oxford Classification. http://www.medquarterly.com/mq88/MQPDF/MM/OxfordStrokeClas...

I have made a guideline on venous thromboembolism and its management in the NHS based on my experience. This is only for educational purposes and if in doubt, kindly refer to your local guidelines and ask your seniors. Please remember that these guidelines vary from trust to trust which you will be introduced to during your induction and your first few days in your trust. VTE PROPHYLAXIS What is VTE? This stands of venous thromboembolism which includes deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.  What is the fuss about VTE prophylaxis? Studies have shown that patients admitted to hospitals are at high risk of developing clots in their lungs and lungs especially if they are immobile. https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/vte/ So what is the management? The usual management is giving low molecular weight heparin or enoxaprin/unfractionated heparin  once a day. The dose is based on the patients weight and the creatinine clearance. This is known...

When a couple comes to the UK, they plan to have a family in a few months/years once they are settled.  PREGNANCY  The journey throughout pregnancy is very well supported - both medically and at the workplace. Here are some points which parents to be might find useful: 1. You get free prescriptions and free dental care: https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/help-nhs-prescription-costs/free-nhs-prescriptions You will need a maternity exemption certificate for this: https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/exemption-certificates/maternity-exemption-certificates Your midwife will provide this. 2. You get maternity leave: http://www.nhsemployers.org/your-workforce/pay-and-reward/agenda-for-change/nhs-terms-and-conditions-of-service-handbook/parents-and-carers/maternity-leave-and-pay-section-15 You get paternity leave: https://www.bma.org.uk/advice/work-life-support/working-parents/thinking-of-having-a-baby/paternity-leave Every trust has its own rules. In my trust it is 14 days paid paternity leave. 3....