91Èȱ¬

Hi Lucy
The programme tonight highlighted how difficult you chosen carer is. I have recently retired and was a Surgical Nurse Practitioner in Wales. I felt for you on your first week out on a limb, people donot understand that even though you are well trained the first week is hard. My question to you is do Newcastle not have nurse practitioners to help your transition. I have helped many new doctors who in return are very grateful we learn from each other. You remind me so much of many young doctors and you will wonder after the first year how ever you managed but will have achieved so much.

Ah Lucy. Watching the programme tonight left me with the inspiration to carry on as a student nurse in glasgow. I recently had to take some time out of my studies, lost the will to go back and watching the programme tonight just gave me the oomph to go back. What a great opportunity for someone like myself to have seen this inspiring programme from the FY1 point of view and for it to inspire me!! Great working with the FY1's within my career as a student nurse and i have worked with many so it is interesting to see that it is being portrayed truthfully through the 91Èȱ¬. The media tend to get a bad view from society as portraying things wrong to the viewing public but they can definitely count this programme out. .....Looking forward to next episode!

Lucy you did great in Gastro,never tell a patient it is your first time at anything let alone a PR, whither you felt it or not you seemed to be the calmest and most together of the group.Good luck to you all.!
So hit the ground running you'll all be fine,just keep being human!
.Not like me, not so easy to end up 40 and realise you should have been a doctor and not a scientist!

Fantastic opening to the new series, bringing the daily lives of doctors to our TV screens. This series is particulary interesting to me as I really want to be a doctor. I start university in september and I'm so nervous. Having the opportunity to pratice medicine and save lives like you do is ultimately mind blowing, and definitely the path I want to take.
You all seem so calm, considering the amount of sheer pressure that you are under. Was it really differcault to gain a place at medical school?

Thank you so much for this blogg. I am 16 and seriosly considering becoming a doctor, possibly an edochrinologist. I found this blogg, in conjunction with the T.V. show, to be realy helpful and has given me another boost to progressing with medical edjucation. It has shown me that it is worth baring the trials of school through to university and later the harsh reality of illness if the outcome is being able to go home at the end of the day say that you have helped someone.

Thank you.

Hi Lucy, thought the programme was really interesting. Well done for taking part. I agree that it must have be a challenge to become a doctor and get filmed starting out on your choosen career path.

My friends daughter had CF and died two weeks ago at the age of 23. Very sad, so the more you can do to raise the profile of this illness the better. Obviously treatment is advancing all the time so the outcome improves all the time as well. She leaves behind a son as a legacy to the world and it does prove that CF sufferers can lead fulfulling lives when well.

Afraid I missed you doing your 1st rectal examination, but saw the trailer for next week and wish you and your fellow doctors all the very best of luck. A difficult job but one in which I imagine the satisfaction of helping your fellow humams must be immense.

Good luck.

Just watching this programme where it is extremely interesting to see young, newly qualified, enthusiastic professionals stepping into something that I have an admiration for, being a doctor. Allowing us, as the public to see how these young junior doctors make their first steps in their profession should be a real inspiration to others wishing to follow in the same way.

Seeing these doctors, very young, wanting to do so much with so much energy, I hope that they maintain this throughout their careers.

On this first veiwing, the doctors that have participated have shown that their is a human side and that they care and are passionate about their work. As a viewer, their is some notion that you feel that you are riding the emotional waves when these doctors achievements of success, big or small, makes a difference and when there is failure of some sort, you want to pull them back up to see that not everthing is achievable but can only put it down to experience.

I look forward to the next program but I have one or two further comments about the actions of one or two of these doctors. It was interesting to see one of the doctors aid a patient to sit up and rather hope that they followed the "Manual Handling" techniques to achieve this - may be not. Another comment is about seeing one of the doctors with gloves still on their hands after perforing a close body examination on a patient and then they open the curtains without removing the gloves first - not good! All experience and knowledge to be gained.

However, there is so much enthusiam that these doctors have so far shown about their work, I hope it is infectious to others watching and wanting to also achieve so much! Well done to all for taking part.

hello lucy, having seen the programe, i was moved, to see that as a doctor it is obvious, that you are in the right profession!! i have had a lot of experience with hospitals for varios reasons, and i know what it is like to be very stressed indeed from the patient side of things, and that a friendly, reassuring face is so so important, it is the ability to be able to treat people as human beings and not just a number,and above all to be fair and honest that i think is parramount. I wish you well and hope you go on to develop your dream, to the best of your ability.

Hi Lucy, We never got the chance to thank you for the care and compassion you showed our Mum,she was the case you talk about next week, she would have been sorry to see you getting so upset, she was so calm and just kept saying she was going to be with our Father, for that we have to be grateful as she never got over his death in 2008. We will never get over losing them both but we are very grateful for all you did, Mum thought you were a very good Doctor. Thank you.

My daughter is an FY2 in Glasgow,is in A&E at the moment,I thought the programme was great.Good luck!!

Most of the doctors seem to come from wealthy and priveliged backgrounds. The Medical schools seem to discriminate against working class people even if they have better A level and GCSE grades. On another series called " doctors to be " the dean of st Mary's rejected two working class boys in favour of two middle class girls even though the boys got better A level grades. The boys did become doctors but at other medical schools. You can see this for yourselves by watching the documentary series " doctors to be " that was broadcast in the mid 1980's. Wouldn't it be wonderful if working class students were given a fair chance to become doctors and were not discriminated against by medical schools even when they have top grades in their exams. There also seems to be an old boy network where the children of doctors seem to get preferential treatment for medical school entry on a nod and a wink basis. Perhaps one day the government will give people from all backgrounds a fair chance not only in the medical field but also law and the military and civil service. I won't hold my breath though.

I commented earlier saying my daughter was a 2nd year doctor,she went to a comprehensive school and is not from a privelidged background,she just worked hard and got good grades,no old boy network,in fact,no doctors in the family at all!!

I do agree that is harder for people from a working class background to become a doctor. I worked in the NHS years ago and only ever met one doctor from a working class background. I don't know so much about the old boy system, but I believe that the parents have to make a large financial contribution whilst their children are medical students? This is beyond the reach of the majority of working class parents.

On another note, it was great to see a really nice comment from the relatives of a patient Lucy attended to. I am sure this will be a great boost to her morale.

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A bit of a sexist comment by Clint,Ok maybe none of the boys at my daughters school got 6 A Highers(Scottish Qualifications)but to suggest she only got in because she was a girl is rather unfair considering the effort she had to put in!!

Hi Lucy & Co'.
I would like to add some comments to hopefully help all young Doctors after watching & listening to your views tonight, 22/23-02-11.
There is no doubting your knowledge (in theory & limited practice) because of your qualifications, but you are very young & one thing they don't teach ANY students is 'No one expects you to know everythting', but people/patients, in my experience, prefer something called simply HONESTY!
The conscientious may suffer with natural, normal, human feelings, specially regarding bad news for thier patients, it's just hard having to be professional about it & trying not to show your feelings. Being professional in such a situation DOESN'T mean you don't care, it's just ONE of the hard parts of your chosen vocation.
If I can be so bold as to offer a bit of advice to Adam, (& others), there is an old saying that can sometimes be seen in toilets, which states 'THE JOB ISN'T FINISHED UNTIL THE PAPERWORK IS DONE' (get it??). Few people like doing paperwork, specially those who work with thier hands, from yourselves to just about ALL tradesmen & women. If a slcak attitude is taken towards the paperwork, like accounts or estimates or ordering etc, etc, bills don't get paid on time, you don't get paid on time etc, etc!!!
With regards to your profession, the paperwork is as much an IMPORTANT integral part of it as any business doing thiers PROFESSIONALLY & COMPITANTLY. Any lapse, short cuts or shortcoming in the paperwork & how is the next person to use/rely on it supposed to make correct decisions on anything less than PERFECTLY CORRECT & UPTO DATE???
Boring I know, but true, YOU ALL do an excellent job, please don't be put off by having to do the more boring, mundane parts of the job, I can't put in words how important it is. I was a hands on, practical person until I had an accident, but ONLY YOU can & should keep/make accurate accounts/records of what has been done or, is to be done etc, etc!
If you haven't nodded off reading this, sorry to go on but I am speaking from experience having had more than a fair share of hospital stays over the years, including a 5 & 1/2 month stay after breaking my back amongst many other complications in which errors were made when notes weren't or couldn't be read properly!
I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY STICK WITH IT, YOU ARE NOT GOING TO GET THE EUPHORIC FEELING EVERY MINUTE OF EVERY DAY OF SAY SAVING A LIFE OR CURING SOMEONES AILMENT! JUST MAKE THE MOST OF THOSE SPECIAL MOMENTS & DON'T FORGET THAT IS JUST PRT OF YOUR CHOSEN VOCATION!
Kindest regards to you all, Neil.

HEllo! Lucy
I am touched by the adversity in your life that drove you into the career of medicine. I am encouraged by that initiative just like my own ill health motivated be into becoming a medical researcher that has enabled me realize substancial invention/discoveries in the field of aerotherapy that is likely to be of great significance to our society in the future. Keep up the same spirit.

Dear lucy ,
I have seen your series, it is all great working in a gastroenterology unit, you look quite confident with your new job, and as you have mentioned that cystic fibrosis in your family is the source of a inspiration for you to be in medicine, for me my mother is the souce of inspiration for me ,
best of luck with your job.

lucy
My daughter is 14 and she wants to be come a doctor, shes been asking me all sorts of questions about what to do after school but i dont no what to tell her ??? so will u tell me what you did after u left school and what u did ?? I dont want her to go ahead with all of this if she doednt like it... lucy do u like what you're doing at the monent ???
i think she want to do this because her twin sister has alot of problems with her ears and shes seen her go in and out of hospital with ear pain
Seeing a family member go throw so much pain isnt nice...
my daughter says "watching Junior Doctor has inspired her to go in to medicine"
shes the only one of my daughters that knows what she wants to be and what type of carer ahe wants ....

Hi,I'm currently a second year medical student at Birmingham University. I haven't started clinical placements in hospitals yet but I do have some insight into the work of junior doctors and GPs.
As someone who will be entering the medical profession, one thing that has always interested me (and partly worried me) is the portrayal of doctors in the media. Programmes such as Casualty, Gray's Anatomy and ER glamourise the profession and show doctors can often be arrogant, cold and clinical. Newspaper stories of hospital failings and salaries of £250,000 constantly portray doctors in a negative light.
When I watched the first episode I was hoping for a realistic take on the work and lives of newly qualified doctors and I was slightly disappointed. The programme did a good job of showing that the work of a junior doctor is often mundane with extensive paperwork and small tasks such a blood taking. I was surprised when one of the doctors profiled said they were expecting to be saving lives on a daily basis on a medical ward as junior, and they were angry at all the menial work they had been given. Even as only a second year, I know that when I start work I will be left to do a lot of paper work!
I would like to question the reality of the living situation. Would 7 doctors from both foundation years and probably from different universities really be living together? Would they already have enough money to pay for a house which seems to be of a very high standard?
One of the positives of the series is the portrayal of some of the doctors as very caring and hardworking individuals and I applaud this.
I hope that as the series progresses this positive portrayal continues and that the audience are able to understand that although this is a more realistic view, a TV series can never be completely representative.

I would also like to make the point that a majority of students at medical school are NOT from private schools and are from normal background without a family dynasty of doctors! Perhaps this was the case 25 years ago...

I am a Junior Doc in Exeter and watched the rerun last night as my husband told me he really enjoyed it on tuesday (I was on call rubbish) However I must say the show was great and although when I started it was pre working times directive (2004)(I blame MTAS) the big things were still just as big and as you know you just get on with it and it was lovely to see you just get stuck in. I am sure that you will all be great doctors in the future and please try not to get dispondant with the politics as the job is helping people and if you keep that in you mind you will go far. I have bets on who will be medics and who will be surgeons already and I hope they follow the series up so that I can see whether I was right.
When I was applying to med school there was a similar programme which inspired me so I am sure your programme will inspire many.
Best of luck for the future.
:-)

Hi Lucy xx... ive been to hospitals a few times now. not for illness. more my to do with my clumsiness lol. but i never really thought about the work you do. you guys are amazing i take my hat off and bow in respect. i think you did really well with what you had to do. an i give you the upmost respect for your reason for wanting to be a doctor. anyone would be lucky to have a big sis like you. i thought the show was amazing an just wanted to say that... well take care be lucky. peace an love...oh an can i just say you are very beautiful too. and your eyes look awesome :) xx

I received the comment " Not available in your area"
I am overseas right now, but my home is Christchurch Dorset.I worked for three years in the UK in Junior Hospital posts, and a year in various
GP locums. My workweek was 144 hours.There was no teaching whatever and no clear carrier path to any semblance of anything approaching a sustainable workload.I have read that about 50% of us emigrated.
I had a good time in New york City and received formal lectures and teaching.I am now a dual US/UK citizen and retired after excellent training in Anaesthetics.I receive good care in both countries.
I worked in New York City and Florida and live in Florida in the winter.
Some animal e.g racehorses, are treated better than we were.
neldy.davies@btinternet.com richardndavies@bellsouth.net

I think the show is really informative I recognise keir as my either died a few months ago in Freemans ward 5 and he treat her while he was on ward 5 nights. The job that you all do is amazing as are the staff. even though my mother died the hospital managed to keep her alive nearly me years longer than Sunderland royal could. This was down to the likes of yourself. I really appreciate the work you do how many lives you save or the extra time you all give people thanks Katei

I think the show is really informative I recognise keir as my either died a few months ago in Freemans ward 5 and he treat her while he was on ward 5 nights. The job that you all do is amazing as are the staff. even though my mother died the hospital managed to keep her alive nearly me years longer than Sunderland royal could. This was down to the likes of yourself. I really appreciate the work you do how many lives you save or the extra time you all give people thanks Katei

Well done Lucy and good luck in your career. lm really enjoying the show and seeing how you all cope. One thing l must say although it may not be politically correct is that Jon Barclay really needs to address his weight issue, not only for his own health but it does seem wrong if he has to discuss issues as weight with patients for their own health benefits. lm sure he knows he needs to do something and l hope he does.

Good luck in all you do.
From Angela.

Hi Lucy
I just want to say what a lovely mature young lady you seem the reason why you've gone into medicine because of your poor sister is so lovely what a caring big sis you are?!!.
I have a new found respect after watching the programme even though i had a lot of respect anyway but its gone up even more now, your saving lives on a regular basis and i dont think you and other doctors get enough credit for that?!.
Im petrified of hospitals and i have to go for heart check ups regularly, i wish you were down our way and i had someone like you when i had a check ups as you seem so professional and caring towards your patients.
its nice that someone has commented about you helping someone through their last days that must be a real boost for you to know that you were a comfort to someone thorugh that difficult time.
I dont know how you deal with all the things you have to go through you are one brave girl.
I wish you every success in your future career even though you wont need it!! because any hospital would be lucky to have you lucy as their doctor.
also I wish you the best of luck on finding a cure for CF i really hope you find it!.
Katie(20)
x

I think all the junior doctors are excellent. I am a Gp now and actually qualified from Newcastle and did my house jobs ( as they were called then) at the RVI. It is a hard job and in the begining you are a dogs body. It gets better! I think Lucy handled the breaking bad news very well. I shows she is human. Keep at it

Congratulations to the Doctors who took part in this 91Èȱ¬ series. I have always been a great admirer of the profession, through the eyes of a policeman (now retired), in their life saving role and contribution to forensic medicine et al. We as 'some-time patients' are conscious of the huge demands made on junior doctors and last night's episode had a tearful concern by Dr. Holmes over a patient she had become fond of. That Lucy is a true human being who cares is beyond question. Some would say toughen up but that may just lead to burying emotions leading to yet greater stress. A simple rule may be the patient expects to be dealt with competently with professional skill and experience and they are best served by a Doctor bringing all the resources at their disposal into the management and care of their patient. Lucy does not fail on that point. Best wishes in their careers to all the Doctors who took part in this series,

Well Done Lucy! I think you are a brilliant junior doctor and I have really enjoyed watching you. Good luck with your future as a doctor. Grace :)

Hello everyone,

I just want to say a big big thank you to you for all your comments - I feel
humbled and overwhelmed and appreciate your words so much. As doctors and
healthcare professionals, we are given such insight into others lives every
day, which is such a privilege. I hope you have enjoyed the series and that
it has provided a similar insight for you.

@nesbittblack-I am so very touched by your message, thank you so much.

Regarding getting into medical school, there are some great websites out
there (for example and I'd suggest
talking to your school or careers advisor if you have one about applying -
they'll have helped others achieve the same! :)

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Hello Lucy,
Wow what a fab junior doctor you are!! I wish you all the luck in your future. I'm sure you will excel. I want to become a doctor but I'm terrified of failing at it!!!!! I'm around medicine 24/7 as my parents are both doctors.

Love Emily-Rose

what a shame this series is not in Newcastle. I am from Newcastle I really enjoyed the six weeks. Do you think they will come to Newcastle. Again?

I must say do you remember the case of this patient, drinking too enormous bottles.. Over threea day, and she was a heavy smoker. You handled their case. Really really well. What are you doing now?