I've had a busy past week, but last Thursday I went up to Glasgow to be awarded an Honorary Fellowship of the Faculty of Travel Medicine (FTM). This is the highest award the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow (RCPSG) can make, (see press release) and is bestowed within a ceremony where all the doctors, dentists, podiatrists and travel medicine individuals who have gained qualifications in their chosen subject are given - just as I did when I was admitted to the FTM as a Founding Fellow back in 2006.
But I sense to have a nurse given this honorary award is very unusual - indeed there hasn't been a nurse in the FTM to receive this to date. The event comprised processing into the College Hall behind the President. After an introduction, the Past President (Prof. Jackie Taylor who shortened a trip abroad to be there, and a real trail blazer being the first female President of the College since 1599) read out a citation she had written, while I was required to stand at the front of the room facing the audience. Now whilst I have great pride in receiving such an honour, I found this bit embarrassing. My parents instilled in us as a family it was distasteful to 'brag' and if we did do well at school for example, it was always said 'and what did the others get' which immediately deflated any sense of pride one may have had - does anyone of my generation recognise that?! That said, I'm sure if they were alive today they would be proud!
The above video was recorded by my husband Peter. It may need a couple of clicks to work!
After the citation I had to sign the register of the Honorary Fellows. This is such an historic book and has signatures dating back to 1894 including
Joseph Lister and
Princess Diana. If you'd like to view a short video clip about the book
see here (it was posted on FB, so only accessible if you're on the FB platform I think).
If you wanted to watch the full award ceremony, and it illustrates how well College undertake this activity, welcoming medical people from all over the world you can view it on YouTube
HERE. The event starts at about 17 minutes into the video, a procession into the hall, then the President, Dr Mike McKirdy welcoming everyone, my citation at about 20 minutes in, followed by an award for the President's medal, the diplomats' celebration and finally a speech by the President.
I'm not sure where the past nearly 30 years in travel medicine have gone, nor indeed the 51 years I've been a nurse, but perhaps it's increasing age that's making me nostalgic. Travel Medicine was the first thing that really gave me a buzz comparable to my time as a Ward Sister back in my training hospital St. George's in London. I've regained contact with one of the lovely consultants on my ward back then -
Dr Douglas Maxwell. himself a Fellow RCPSG, and I wrote to let him know I was going up to Glasgow, but we've recently had some warm exchange about the past and it turned out he had been following my career in my position in College through the newsletters! After I knew him, he became the Clinical Dean at St George’s and was instrumental as Chair of a Working Group in setting up the graduate entry programme for medical students. And while up in Glasgow I also met up with Fiona who was a student and then staff nurse on my ward. She stood out a mile as such an empathic nurse with the highest standards, who after marrying moved to Edinburgh and had a long career in health visiting - we had a wonderful time meeting up and reminiscing along with catching up about things in life.
SO WHY HAVE I WRITTEN THIS BLOG?
Well I sent the clip of the ceremony to a non medical friend, Alison, who is beautiful both inside and out 😍. I found this news item about her
here and those of you who know my passion for Liberty fabric will understand how I came to meet her! This morning she wrote '
Wow you are a great inspiration and truly a testimony to your profession. Be proud of your achievements'. I then explained the 'bragging discomfort' as I described above and she said,
'your resilience and determination will inspire others to do the same', which was a completely different take on the news and I hadn't considered in this light at all - so then I wrote this blog 😂.
As I start to revalidate again, I know I am very proud to be a nurse but somehow it does feel right now we are sometimes a 'downtrodden' profession. I rarely comment on anything political, but the news this week of the recommended payrise was disappointing and I know many GPNs who have not even received the 6% payrise from their practices in England which the RCN and BMA have jointly
spoken about. GPNs are so hard working and the salt of the earth in General Practice. A group that I've always wanted to help and support and this has given me so much pleasure over the years. I feel privileged to have been able to use my skills, knowledge and a platform to help.
And to many of the nurses who I've worked with in travel medicine and particularly those who have been part of the FTM, I repost this image I put up during COVID in 2020 when I was working as the Dean. I thank many of you who gave me such support at that time. It has been a true pleasure to work closely with you, some I initially trained and had the joy of supporting and mentoring since, who then just became very good friends and valued peers. We have contributed so much to this field and should continue to do so and value our true worth.
And so this honour from the Royal College is perhaps something I should be proud to share - and I did post on LinkedIn this week (which I rarely use), when I mentioned I feel a digital platform coming on as I have some wonderful memories through my career as many of you reading this will, but it would be great fun to document some of it! So that's the next project for 2025!
