Ahmed

I was a ST3 registrar in Scarboorugh when the first wave of COVID-19 hit. It was extremely busy and I tried my best to minimize contact: https://omarsguidelines.blogspot.com/2020/04/my-experience-of-working-as-medical.html I was quite certain that I would have got it in the first wave. Unfortunately, due to my silly needle phobia I did not get my antibodies tested and then started in Hull as a ST4 registrar in Acute Internal Medicine.  In the second wave, Hull had the most COVID-19 cases in the whole of the country. I took proper precautions and followed the local trust policy strictly.  I then rotated to ITU in December. I was given a home testing kit for COVID-19 which was given to most health care professionals working there: https://publichealthmatters.blog.gov.uk/2020/12/08/lateral-flow-testing-new-rapid-tests-to-detect-covid-19/ I was supposed to test myself twice a week when I was asymptomatic and log my details onto the trust database which I could access from home. If...

DIFFICULT CANNULATION/BLOODS  This is a pain for everyone. When I started in the NHS, I used to struggle a lot. Just like everyone else. However with time I learnt some tips: 1. EQUIPMENT   Prepare everything beforehand. Equipment varies from trust to trust but the basics remain the same  - Torniquet  - Cannula : I always use a blue 22 G one UNLESS the patient needs a CT scan ( in which case a green 18 G or pink 20 G is needed) OR the patient needs agressive fluid resuscitation ( in which case I go for a grey 16G cannula)  I always take at least 3 cannulas ( I always take the blue 22 G one in case I cannot get a bigger one in , I go the smaller one) - Alcohol wipes: take at least 3 in case you need to clean another area.   - IV bung  - Flush : take at least 2 - connect the bung to the IV flush and prime it.  - Tegaderm  - Sharps bin  - Disposable tray  In COVID-19 season, we should be wearing PPE as per local policy 2. THE...

The job of a medical registrar is the most feared job in the NHS. When I was a CMT year 1 trainee, I was frightened to work as a registrar- mainly because of the anxiety my registrars had.  As a CMT 2, I started seeing more unwell patients and gained more confidence and started clerking the sickest patients. My fears were alleviated and I actually enjoyed as a ST3 trainee in acute internal medicine. I am now a ST4 trainee and still enjoy my on calls and my regular day job on the COVID wards/AMU/Ambulatory care unit.  Here are some tips: BE NICE  It does not matter whether you are talking to nurses, fellow colleagues, SHOs, FY1s or ward clerks. Be nice! Be the registrar you wanted to have when you were a SHO. If you are having a bad day, take a break ( have a chocolate/biscuit - there are always some in the staff room) TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF  You are just a cell on an excel sheet. If you become unwell and are unable to continue working, you will be replaced. So take ca...