Why I'm so proud to work for the NHS
Friday 6 July 2018 02:19, UK
Navin Leanage has only been a junior doctor since 2016, but the pressure placed on the health service in recent years has already made an impression.
Staffing is an issue, funding is tight and stress is high, and yet for Dr Leanage, the NHS remains a shining example of what makes the UK so special.
Here, he writes for Sky News about how proud he is to be part of the incredible work being done by staff to keep the NHS operating at such a high standard.
Every organisation has its flaws, which are easy to focus on, and the NHS is no different.
Yes, staffing is an issue, which does make the stress pile up. I have been unfortunate enough to see people leave or be changed by the job - and not always in a good way.
But it is at times like these - where funding is tight, staffing is problematic and stress is high - that we should focus on what is so good about the NHS.
It is a massive privilege to work in healthcare and I would find it very difficult to work in a system that puts a price tag on health.
We are a unique nation that will support its population with healthcare that is free at the point of care, no matter who you are or what your background is.
I am a foundation year two doctor at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust.
The best way to summarise what we do is that we are the continuity of care for the consultants who lead the team we are in.
We will look after the patients while the consultants are not present, updating them on anything they need and ensuring any emergency care is provided.
We also carry out the daily plans, which can include taking blood, placing lines, updating patients plus families and ordering scans amongst numerous other things.
On call shifts can be more of a challenge.
This is an emergency service for internal patients and can be after 5pm, overnight, on weekends and public holidays - and we often cover wards beyond our own base ward.
But there is a true team feel as we all support each other and there is always good support available.
It is a massive privilege to work in healthcare and I would find it very difficult to work in a system that puts a price tag on health.
Being able to help people when they are at their most vulnerable and putting immense amount of trust in you is a responsibility that must not be taken lightly.
Being able to help people when they are at their most vulnerable and putting immense amount of trust in you is a responsibility that must not be taken lightly.
It is an honour to be a part of a patient's journey, whether it be just a few hours or months at a time, and I love that we work as a team with the patients towards a common goal.
I also love the solidarity amongst the many professionals involved in multiple levels of care, who can work together for each individual patient.
To work alongside people who are happy to give up their free time, to expose themselves to quite mentally, physically and emotionally difficult situations on a daily basis, without a second thought, is something this country should be proud of.
I think I would really struggle to get through a shift without my fellow doctors, allied health professionals and premises service staff - just to name a few.
These are just a few of the many reasons I am proud to work in the NHS - the same organisation as many people before me and even more after me.
The NHS has achieved so much in such a short period of time and the potential it has yet to achieve is something I am excited to be a part of.