Why i want to make a career in nhs healthcare sector

I want to combine my fascination with ever-changing scientific studies with interaction with people from all backgrounds, unified by the desire to improve one’s welfare. In my opinion, Medicine provides the middle ground between advancing research and engaging with individuals on a personal, circumstantial basis, allowing me to give both educated and sympathetic responses to any situation, of which a balance is crucial from my perspective.

My Biology and Chemistry A-Level studies have fuelled my interests in Medicine, broadening my interests across a wide range of topics including genetics, immunity and anesthesia. I have recently read the NAP5 report on accidental awareness during general anesthesia which has given me a variety of questions with regards to medical ethics and published statistics. The subjective concept of pain especially when in a state of paralysis is particularly hard to monitor when vital observations such as blood pressure, heart rate and lacrimation are already heightened by the surgery, giving way to human error as anesthesia is maintained. Although with only 1: 15000 reporting AAGA per general anesthetic, the statistic that over 75% of cases could have been prevented leads me to believe that factors such as funding and time influence this majorly.

The strains on the NHS were highlighted to me in my work experience at Bradford Royal Infirmary. While consultants expressed their concerns with the NHS picking up issues of mental health, drug addiction and homelessness, doing its best up and down the nation for the vulnerable with its already limiting funding, junior doctors were troubled by the future of the NHS with Brexit, the overly taxing work for incomparable pay and the dilemma of one day balancing a family with a life-consuming occupation.

Medicine, however, is an exciting sector that constantly evolves as limiting factors cease to confine. A recent New Scientist article wrote of bacteria being used to turn type A blood into the universal donor type O. It does this by stripping sugars from the surface of red blood cells and could be pivotal in emergency blood transfusions and possibly transplant surgery as the small number of blood donors meet the demand. HIV’s envelope contains 24 N-glycosylation sites; these carbohydrates conceal much of the protein surface and have been suggested to protect the virus from immune recognition. This led me to question whether enzymes such as mucinases would be able to break down the glycan layer of HIV antigens, to prevent the virus from binding to CD4 receptors and allowing the immune system to destroy HIV more effectively.

My main draw to Medicine, however, is understanding individual cases, providing holistic care that manages the concern of the patient, allowing them to walk away with peace of mind. My empathetic and just nature allows me to build good relationships with both the patients themselves and other colleagues in a team.

Teamwork was highlighted as a very important aspect of NHS healthcare professions in my recent work experience in an Intermediate Care Unit. Working with a varied team of professionals allowed me to view multiple roles all focusing on the 20 patients in the unit. The gratefulness of the residents and constant improvements made even over a short period of time was very fulfilling and one of the aspects that really encourage my perseverance into a medical career.