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 london. Show all posts
Showing posts with label london. Show all posts
Tuesday, 29 October 2013
Wednesday, 7 August 2013
Homoeopathy - out with the old and in with the 'what now'?
It believed that 2013 will be the year to see the end of homoeopathy services provided by the NHS. £4 million go into the spending of this industry and many are concerned that this money is simply being wasted on 'placebos' that have not been 'scientifically proven to work'.
Homoeopathy is another name for complementary and alternative medicines. It is an option available to the patient if they choose, to go alongside or instead of the conventional western medicines available to them. The treatments provided under this branch of medicine follow the general principle that if a treatment or substance can cause a symptom then it can also remove that symptom - when it is present in a diluted form. Some common treatments include the likes of acupuncture and herbal remedies.
Funnily enough, this is not the first time I've come across alternative medicine. For my EPQ (Extended Project Qualification) I investigated the science behind fasting and the truth behind the rumours that it lowered high blood pressure. I came to like the idea of using fasting as opposed to conventional medications as it provided a route free of side effects as well as (when done right) providing effective results. However, this alternative method does not follow the general principles mentioned above and so I'm not entirely convinced it comes under the heading of 'homoeopathy'.
Reviews on homoeopathy are mixed. For instance, earlier this year a report from the Commons Science and Technology Committee concluded that the service was no more than a placebo and recommended to the government that all funding from the NHS should stop.
Obviously, this is an extremely controversial topic so I'm not going to dwell on the opinions on others as realistically the phasing out of such services really comes down to the decisions of GPS.
Currently, homoeopathy is only available in certain areas of the NHS. 3 NHS Hospitals that are known to specialise in these services include the Royal London, Glasgow and Bristol hospitals. However, it is believed that the future of Bristol Homoeopathy looks negative as it's popularity has declined over the year.
GPs are also able to practice homoeopathy and are able to also refer patients to homoeopaths. However, it is believed that the majority of GPs are against the service. As GPs are now responsible for most of the health service budget, due to the new CCGs put in place (Clinical Commissioning Groups), it is now largely in their hands to decide if the treatment should be 'funded' or 'rationed'.
What do you think? Are with or against GPs? Let me know - comment below or e-mail me.
Homoeopathy 101:
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tomchivers/100044581/homeopathy-dropped-by-the-nhs-and-about-time/
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/9962151/Doctors-want-homeopathy-on-the-NHS-to-end.html
http://www.quackometer.net/blog/2012/12/2013-will-see-the-end-of-nhs-homeopathy-hospitals-in-england.html
Homoeopathy is another name for complementary and alternative medicines. It is an option available to the patient if they choose, to go alongside or instead of the conventional western medicines available to them. The treatments provided under this branch of medicine follow the general principle that if a treatment or substance can cause a symptom then it can also remove that symptom - when it is present in a diluted form. Some common treatments include the likes of acupuncture and herbal remedies.
Funnily enough, this is not the first time I've come across alternative medicine. For my EPQ (Extended Project Qualification) I investigated the science behind fasting and the truth behind the rumours that it lowered high blood pressure. I came to like the idea of using fasting as opposed to conventional medications as it provided a route free of side effects as well as (when done right) providing effective results. However, this alternative method does not follow the general principles mentioned above and so I'm not entirely convinced it comes under the heading of 'homoeopathy'.
Reviews on homoeopathy are mixed. For instance, earlier this year a report from the Commons Science and Technology Committee concluded that the service was no more than a placebo and recommended to the government that all funding from the NHS should stop.
Obviously, this is an extremely controversial topic so I'm not going to dwell on the opinions on others as realistically the phasing out of such services really comes down to the decisions of GPS.
Currently, homoeopathy is only available in certain areas of the NHS. 3 NHS Hospitals that are known to specialise in these services include the Royal London, Glasgow and Bristol hospitals. However, it is believed that the future of Bristol Homoeopathy looks negative as it's popularity has declined over the year.
GPs are also able to practice homoeopathy and are able to also refer patients to homoeopaths. However, it is believed that the majority of GPs are against the service. As GPs are now responsible for most of the health service budget, due to the new CCGs put in place (Clinical Commissioning Groups), it is now largely in their hands to decide if the treatment should be 'funded' or 'rationed'.
What do you think? Are with or against GPs? Let me know - comment below or e-mail me.
Homoeopathy 101:
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tomchivers/100044581/homeopathy-dropped-by-the-nhs-and-about-time/
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/9962151/Doctors-want-homeopathy-on-the-NHS-to-end.html
http://www.quackometer.net/blog/2012/12/2013-will-see-the-end-of-nhs-homeopathy-hospitals-in-england.html
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:
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