Chanelle Smith, an FY1 currently based in the Ophthalmology Department at the Trust, has been featured in “One Hundred Reasons to Hope”, a book written by the late Captain Sir Tom Moore. The book has been curated by double Paralympic gold medallist Danielle Brown MBE, illustrated by Adam Larkum and begins with a foreword from Captain Sir Tom Moore’s daughter, Hannah Ingram-Moore. It was written to celebrate the contribution of ‘COVID heroes’ during the pandemic.
Chanelle told us more about her clinical background and her experience of being featured in the book:
What made you want to become a doctor?
“I love a challenge and it is safe to say my job as a doctor has provided that in abundance! I also have a natural curiosity and fascination with the human body, how it works but also how it can go wrong, with a special interest in the eye. It is also the most satisfying and rewarding job in the world. It is a privilege and honour to have the opportunity to care for patients in their most vulnerable states. I am passionate about contributing to black communities and becoming a doctor allowed me to continue to change people’s life and contribute positivity to society.
When I decided I wanted to be a doctor, I never really understood what that meant. I could never have predicted the amazing highs and lows that come with impacting someone’s life but every day is a gift. I love my job and I’m inspired everyday by the people I work with. Despite the stress, long hours and mental challenges that come with such a vocation it is the most humbling experience and I could never imagine myself doing anything else.”
What are your impressions of working at ELHT?
“I’m really enjoying it! The staff have truly welcomed me into the department and made my transition from a medical student to a doctor so much more seamless. The doctors have been so enthusiastic and engaging, pushing me to get stuck in so I am trying to grab that opportunity with both hands.
Of course, some days are tough, I have added responsibilities and increased need to take leadership in clinics as well as developing my surgical skills in theatre. However, I can honestly say it has been so rewarding and I am thoroughly enjoying myself and feel so lucky to be surrounded by such fantastic clinicians who have provided so much support and guidance. I am so grateful for their mentorship and feel so positive about the future of my medical career working in the NHS. I want to pursue ophthalmology as a career so I feel so privileged to have had so much clinical experience in a speciality I am passionate about.”
Chanelle was approached by Hannah, Captain Sir Tom Moore’s daughter, who informed her that she wanted to include her story in a children’s book, telling one hundred hopeful stories from the pandemic. Given the difficulties of the last year, Hannah wanted to celebrate the remarkable things that people were doing in the hope to inspire others in the same way her father did.
“She found me online and selected me to be included to represent medical students volunteering in hospitals. I’m not sure why she selected me out of the thousands of medical students working across the country but I feel so overwhelmed to be included alongside such courageous and inspirational stories.
How do you feel about being a representative for medical students across the country in the book?
“I feel so grateful to be able to represent all the medical students that stepped up during such an uncertain time. As a medical student, I felt that discharge letters, taking bloods, all small but essential jobs were not worthy of commendation but just as Tom Moore has shown us no action is too small to make a difference.
“It is truly a privilege to stand alongside such esteemed and courageous individuals. This book encapsulates everything that Tom Moore stands for and I am sure that it will truly inspire hope.”
What was your experience like, studying and working through the pandemic?
“I studied at Bristol Medical school for five years and it was the best five years of my life looking back, but it was definitely a baptism of fire at times. The pandemic brought its own challenges with regards to my education. With hospitals under significant strain, it was clear that the doctors did not have the capacity to teach us to the extent they usually would and we saw a rapid transition to virtual platforms, which created an abrupt social isolation for students. In many ways though, this change had a positive impact on my learning as it forced me to adapt my learning style and I became much more self-directed and independent.
“Working during the pandemic was such a humbling experience. I was working in Gloucestershire Royal Hospital on the Critical Care wards including the Acute Medical Unit and the A& E department. My role as a medical student was to support the frontline staff in whatever way I could, which included taking bloods, writing discharge summaries, making phone calls, requesting scans. I could see that the hospitals were definitely under a lot of pressure, with staff having to self-isolate, the dwindling PPE resources and the anxiety regarding exposing yourself and your loved ones to COVID. It was such a stressful and uncertain time for everyone.
“However, I also saw the whole multi-disciplinary team stepping up, doing what was needed to be done, without complaining and with a smile on their face. They have the hardest job in the world at the best of times and through all of this, they have managed to provide the best care to patients who were incredibly sick. I’ve been humbled by their compassion and professionalism. It has reminded me how lucky we are to have this NHS system. I’m so proud of the NHS and everyone who works there and even in the midst of a pandemic, I was still feeling inspired and excited to join the workforce.
“One of the main things I noticed in hospitals during the pandemic was the lack of visitors. I remember an old lady telling me how isolated she felt given visiting hours were very limited. Being in such a sick and vulnerable state is a time when you need your loved ones there the most and I could not imagine how hard it must have been for patients and their relatives facing those kind of restrictions.
“My role as a medical student became so much more crucial during that time. Unlike the busier more senior colleagues, I was able to take the time to listen, empathise with them and realised that this can be therapeutic in its own right.”
What have you learnt through the experience?
“I learnt to be grateful for the small things. I found that especially as a medical student I sometimes found it was difficult to turn off, I had an innate desire to be constantly busy.
“I think my mental health improved during the pandemic because I realised I needed to have more balance, spending time with my family made me feel grounded and so grateful that we were all safe and healthy. I try to practice gratitude everyday as it has such a positive impact on your mental wellbeing.”
What advice would you give to prospective junior doctors/medical students about the challenges they might face?
“Even when times are tough, we must stay hopeful and positive and never give up! As difficult as times may be, these are the moments which allow us to grow, and shape you into a stronger person.
“The best skill the pandemic has tough me is resilience and patience. During my career, I will continue to experience times of adversity, stress and uncertainty but I believe now I have equipped myself with the tools to deal with them. We have all overcome so much adversity and shown how capable we are and need to be so proud of everything we have achieved. We must continue to unite and stand strong together in the hope that tomorrow will be a good day.”
