reflection
I was inspired and encouraged by my fellow track participants at this month’s webinar as we stopped to take note of our spiritual and professional responses to the track thus far. One by one at our webinar we presented a personal reflection on the last seven months. We had to focus on our chosen vulnerable patient group and how we might advise fellow Christian Medical Fellowship (CMF) members interested in working in the health and justice arena. It was wonderful to hear how people have grown their knowledge and developed their hearts for justice, and how they intend to use this going forward, both inside and outside of work.
I personally reflected on how I have gone from feeling rather disenchanted about working in healthcare, with physical and emotional fatigue from endless shifts during the pandemic, to stepping back and hearing the call from God to put in an application for psychiatry training. As I now look to begin a career in mental health this summer I have a renewed sense of community and support from the group of people I have journeyed with on this track and all they do to spread light and love as they do justice.
FILM CLUB
This month I chose a movie close to my heart: ‘I Daniel Blake’. Daniel is a middle-aged widower, who is signed-off work after a heart attack. However due to the bureaucracy of the benefits system, he does not qualify for disability living allowance and must actively seek work against his doctor’s advice. He befriends single mum Katie and together we see them face the challenges of deprivation in modern-day Britain. This moving story highlights the fight for justice so close to home, and how far we still have to go in ending poverty.
This sobering story challenged us to consider how we have had to advocate on behalf of patients and relatives involved in the welfare system. As healthcare professionals we are in a unique position to use our authority and expertise to fight for those that the system forgets. And it is an honour and privilege to have the trust of our patients when they are at their most vulnerable.