So it's currently half term, I'm enjoying my well deserved (I think so anyway) break from a-levels and I'm relaxing in the living room with my family. At this point I've just completely forgotten about UCAS and the application process. 'Focus on your a levels, and getting the grades' is my mindset right now. If I'm honest I think the stress that medical/dentistry/vet medicine applicants go through is inhumane. How are we meant to focus on getting top grades, getting a perfect reference, getting a perfect medical personal statement, volunteer constantly, get relevant work experience, get a good score in the UKCAT/BMAT, and finally make sure we're a good rounded applicant? The list is endless. In the end it's just a series of hoops they expect us to jump through with flying colours. I feel like these hoops do build super students, but at some point I did find myself turning into a robot, and I'm sure others did too.
ANYWAY back to the point of this post. So, I'm happily relaxing when I feel my phone vibrate. I see the e-mail notification, and behold there is an offer from Kings College London for Biomedical sciences. Relief, happiness, surprise, all attack me. I know it's not an offer for my dream course - medicine, but what it is, is an offer for my DREAM uni! I'm so thankful for this offer as it's given me belief that I CAN do it and that I have a chance at medicine. After all, one of the top world unis have accepted my offer for a science course right?
I'm so happy I have a back up plan sorted out and there is hope out there for me. It's just reminded me that I NEED to have more self confidence in myself. I need to believe in myself when others may be cynical. After all, I am a dreamer.
Apologies for the cheesiness of this post, but after all the doubts and terrible news I've heard this year I'm so happy that I'm finally getting to reap some of the rewards from all my hard work.
Thanks for reading.
Showing posts with label 2013. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2013. Show all posts
Tuesday, 29 October 2013
Thursday, 26 September 2013
'Dramatic Drop In global HIV infections'
Awesome news. I've chosen to post about HIV (Human immunodeficiency virus) and AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) in this post particularly because it's a topic that's quite personal to me. I grew up in Kenya during the 1990's during which the AIDS/HIV epidemics was very serious and to hear that there's been a dramatic drop globally in HIV/AIDS statistics is great news.
HIV/AIDS attacks the immune system and is carried by bodily fluids and is transmitted by sexual contact or blood contact. Where HIV is the virus, AIDS is the condition and appears during the late stages of HIV. As a child I knew someone who had HIV. The disease acted aggressively towards this person and left them weak and vulnerable to infection.
What I want to investigate further is why did this epidemic occur? How could Kenya have avoided it? Why wasn't there enough recognition of the disease at the time? I've always believed that prevention is more effective than treatment, so if we can find the source and cater to it then there will be no need to go any further.
“It all started as a rumour… Then we found we were dealing with a disease. Then
we realised that it was an epidemic. And, now we have accepted it as a tragedy.” - Chief epidemiologist in Kampala, Uganda.1
Putting this into context, over the epidemic it is estimated that 1 million Kenyans have been victimised by this disease and have lost their lives, Kenya's HIV prevalence had peaked during the late 1990's. Although the evidence was clear cut, sadly the Kenyan leaders refused to believe it was a problem that they needed to address. The Kenyan President 1978-2002 had said: ''The threat of AIDS has reached alarming proportions and must not be treated casually; in today’s world, condoms are a must'' however many believed that the government simply did not do enough to educate the Kenyan's on the topic.
Prevention from accessing condoms aswell as the lack of knowledge and the social stigma that surrounded HIV did not help the case at all. Many simply did not know what to do or where to look for in terms of going for testing. Many were simply embarrassed to do so in fears of what their family members or friends would say. Because of this many just suffered in silence.
Thankfully, the numbers of people suffering from HIV as decreased radically and sensitive issues are being addressed. Education and awareness really is the key to eradicating HIV/AIDS and preventing its contraction. We also need to be more sensitive to individuals and their circumstances and make treatments more accessible to the public.
I have merely just touched on the topic in this post and I'd love to discuss it with anyone who's interested.
Comment/message - you know what to do - and as always thanks for reading!
Extra reading:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-24208972#?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
http://www.avert.org/history-hiv-aids-africa.htm
http://www.avert.org/hiv-aids-kenya.htm
http://giswin.geo.tsukuba.ac.jp/sis/thesis/PhD_Ngigi.pdf
HIV/AIDS attacks the immune system and is carried by bodily fluids and is transmitted by sexual contact or blood contact. Where HIV is the virus, AIDS is the condition and appears during the late stages of HIV. As a child I knew someone who had HIV. The disease acted aggressively towards this person and left them weak and vulnerable to infection.
What I want to investigate further is why did this epidemic occur? How could Kenya have avoided it? Why wasn't there enough recognition of the disease at the time? I've always believed that prevention is more effective than treatment, so if we can find the source and cater to it then there will be no need to go any further.
“It all started as a rumour… Then we found we were dealing with a disease. Then
we realised that it was an epidemic. And, now we have accepted it as a tragedy.” - Chief epidemiologist in Kampala, Uganda.1
Putting this into context, over the epidemic it is estimated that 1 million Kenyans have been victimised by this disease and have lost their lives, Kenya's HIV prevalence had peaked during the late 1990's. Although the evidence was clear cut, sadly the Kenyan leaders refused to believe it was a problem that they needed to address. The Kenyan President 1978-2002 had said: ''The threat of AIDS has reached alarming proportions and must not be treated casually; in today’s world, condoms are a must'' however many believed that the government simply did not do enough to educate the Kenyan's on the topic.
Prevention from accessing condoms aswell as the lack of knowledge and the social stigma that surrounded HIV did not help the case at all. Many simply did not know what to do or where to look for in terms of going for testing. Many were simply embarrassed to do so in fears of what their family members or friends would say. Because of this many just suffered in silence.
Thankfully, the numbers of people suffering from HIV as decreased radically and sensitive issues are being addressed. Education and awareness really is the key to eradicating HIV/AIDS and preventing its contraction. We also need to be more sensitive to individuals and their circumstances and make treatments more accessible to the public.
I have merely just touched on the topic in this post and I'd love to discuss it with anyone who's interested.
Comment/message - you know what to do - and as always thanks for reading!
Extra reading:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-24208972#?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
http://www.avert.org/history-hiv-aids-africa.htm
http://www.avert.org/hiv-aids-kenya.htm
http://giswin.geo.tsukuba.ac.jp/sis/thesis/PhD_Ngigi.pdf
Thursday, 8 August 2013
A&E Bailout?
A&E. The headline for the majority of the health news that has been circulating the BBC for quite some time now. Accident and Emergency departments are open 24/7, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, and specialise in just that - accidents and emergencies. However, as we've all been hearing for months now, this is simply just not the case and this is leading to A&E departments being almost on the bring of collapse.
Why are they struggling so much you ask? Well it all comes down to three main reasons:
1: Lack of out of hours services
Back in 2004, Tony Blair's Government made a deal with GPs to reduce their working hours and allow them to no longer be on call for weekends and evenings all in exchange for £6000 of their salary. This has been described as the root to the cause of A&E disintegrating by Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt. He believes that the current GP contract is 'fundamentally flawed' as responsibility of out of hours services has been removed from the hands of GPs. Many GPs are outraged and annoyed at the constant blame they receive as many of them currently feel 'overworked' and feel that a lot of unnecessary pressure is being placed on them. They also agree that their is a flaw in NHS 111. This is a helpline you can call when your family doctor is not available and so advice is given to you on what you should do next. GPs believe that the system is flawed, as the resulting next step is often advice to visit A&E.
2: The Ageing population
People are living longer. A great statement yes? Well, it does come with its own problems. People are living longer but they as they grow older they are more vulnerable to disease, and more severe diseases at that. It is presently thought the the elderly with complex conditions are now the greatest challenge. Many of them are said to arrive by ambulance and often have to have an extended stay. Which poses another problem - space and beds. David Cameron is proposing that what we should do is concentrate on building the relationship between A&E departments, GP practices and social care departments so that the elderly may receive more help from their local communities.
3. Staff Shortages
With the increase in demands by patients it is clear that staff shortages are a definite problem in need of desperate attention. This is all results in critical cases being handed over to junior doctors who may not be competent enough to deal with the patients thus endangering their safety. This battle between increase in demand, and decrease in supply seems as a fundamental issue at the root of the cause.
The solution to fixing the problem that is A&E waiting services is proving hard to find. However, a 'bailout' as been announced for specific struggling A&E units. This is just a short term solution to a long time problem of course, and many are aware of this.
What are your views on this? Comment/e-mail me, I'd love to know.
Food for thought:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-23612539#?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/10192661/Crisis-in-AandE-as-hospitals-grapple-with-staff-shortages.html
http://fullfact.org/articles/factsheet_crisis_accident_emergency_care-29078
Why are they struggling so much you ask? Well it all comes down to three main reasons:
1: Lack of out of hours services
Back in 2004, Tony Blair's Government made a deal with GPs to reduce their working hours and allow them to no longer be on call for weekends and evenings all in exchange for £6000 of their salary. This has been described as the root to the cause of A&E disintegrating by Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt. He believes that the current GP contract is 'fundamentally flawed' as responsibility of out of hours services has been removed from the hands of GPs. Many GPs are outraged and annoyed at the constant blame they receive as many of them currently feel 'overworked' and feel that a lot of unnecessary pressure is being placed on them. They also agree that their is a flaw in NHS 111. This is a helpline you can call when your family doctor is not available and so advice is given to you on what you should do next. GPs believe that the system is flawed, as the resulting next step is often advice to visit A&E.
2: The Ageing population
People are living longer. A great statement yes? Well, it does come with its own problems. People are living longer but they as they grow older they are more vulnerable to disease, and more severe diseases at that. It is presently thought the the elderly with complex conditions are now the greatest challenge. Many of them are said to arrive by ambulance and often have to have an extended stay. Which poses another problem - space and beds. David Cameron is proposing that what we should do is concentrate on building the relationship between A&E departments, GP practices and social care departments so that the elderly may receive more help from their local communities.
3. Staff Shortages
With the increase in demands by patients it is clear that staff shortages are a definite problem in need of desperate attention. This is all results in critical cases being handed over to junior doctors who may not be competent enough to deal with the patients thus endangering their safety. This battle between increase in demand, and decrease in supply seems as a fundamental issue at the root of the cause.
The solution to fixing the problem that is A&E waiting services is proving hard to find. However, a 'bailout' as been announced for specific struggling A&E units. This is just a short term solution to a long time problem of course, and many are aware of this.
What are your views on this? Comment/e-mail me, I'd love to know.
Food for thought:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-23612539#?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/10192661/Crisis-in-AandE-as-hospitals-grapple-with-staff-shortages.html
http://fullfact.org/articles/factsheet_crisis_accident_emergency_care-29078
Wednesday, 31 July 2013
Saving Lewisham
It's been announced! The high court has 'quashed' the decisions made by the Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt to cut services such as the maternity and A&E departments at Lewisham hospital.
Many believe that this idea was proposed by Hunt in order to save costs with a neighbouring south London trust - which Lewisham aren't even part of. This is the main reason why so many are furious with this proposal, and who could blame them? A lot of people have also said that Lewisham is a well performing hospital and believe that it would be simply unlawful to carry out any further with Hunt's idea (as stated by the High court judge himself).
Under political pressures Hunt was found to be 'acting outside his powers' in the sense that he was essentially making Lewisham pay for the financial crisis it's neighbours were in.
What I find strange is the idea of closing the A&E as it would mean that patients would have to travel to other hospitals, and as we all know A&E departments have been struggling with meeting waiting deadlines and this would just make matters worse. It would jeopardise the health of patients, and after all isn't the patient the priority?
...But anyway, the good news is this idea has been dismissed!
From the help of local organisations such as 'Save Lewisham' awareness has been spread to the public which has led to many of them campaigning against Hunt's idea for the past year. Today marks a significant day for many residents of South London, and after their months of protesting they can be proud that their community-led campaigns have triumphed.
I'd love to here your take on this story. Comment, e-mail, whatever - go for it! :)
Here are some interesting articles on the topic:
Tuesday, 30 July 2013
Let Me Introduce Myself.
So... My first post.
Hello.
I've had this blog set up for a while actually, but I never really used it much and so I decided to turn it into something useful (which it hopefully will be). I'm a sixth former and I'm applying for medicine for the 2014 entry (fingers crossed). I hope to blog about anything and everything that crosses my path on my way to med school.
I've always enjoyed writing and medicine is something I'd love to spend my life doing. I've found out so far that there's SO many opportunities and experiences to be learnt from so I figured, hey, why not write about it? There's so many stories to be told and this is where I will share them.
I hope you all enjoy reading my blog as much as I'm sure I'll enjoy writing it.
Hello.
I've had this blog set up for a while actually, but I never really used it much and so I decided to turn it into something useful (which it hopefully will be). I'm a sixth former and I'm applying for medicine for the 2014 entry (fingers crossed). I hope to blog about anything and everything that crosses my path on my way to med school.
I've always enjoyed writing and medicine is something I'd love to spend my life doing. I've found out so far that there's SO many opportunities and experiences to be learnt from so I figured, hey, why not write about it? There's so many stories to be told and this is where I will share them.
I hope you all enjoy reading my blog as much as I'm sure I'll enjoy writing it.
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