Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 80651 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 323(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80651 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 323(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
They both looked at me like I was in the wrong place. I had a feeling I’d have to get used to that look.
“The competition between first-year foundation doctors,” Gilly said. “They say it’s informal, but the winner always ends up as a consultant at the Free. It’s like an all-access pass to whatever future they want.”
I had to stifle a groan. A competition? Like survival wasn’t enough.
“But how do they judge people across specialties?” Veronica asked. “It can’t be fair.”
“Okay, I shouldn’t be telling you this, but apparently, the foundation doctors have to report to a different consultant on each rotation,” Gilly said. “That lead consultant is responsible for making sure you get the experience you need. They also assess you. Every rotation, the lead consultant picks a ‘best of the rotation’ and then each of the rotation winners are assessed and one is picked as the overall winner.”
“Should they really be getting doctors to compete with each other?” I asked. It seemed counterintuitive to encourage a spirit of competition.
“FY1s—Year One Foundation doctors—this way please.” A black woman in scrubs waved us all to follow her. I was grateful to be out of the back and forth between Gilly and Veronica. They seemed to know a lot more about what the Royal Free had in store for us than I did.
“I’m Dr. Wanda Jones. Please line up, give me your name, collect some scrubs—they’re here, divided into vague size order, though they won’t fit you. Adjust your expectations accordingly. Go and change and meet me back here.”
“Are you sure we all have to wear scrubs?” Gilly asked.
“Completely sure,” Wanda replied. “Hospital policy since Covid. If you don’t like it, you’re welcome to leave.”
“I just bought an entire new wardrobe,” Gilly complained.
“You should have read your joining instructions more carefully,” Wanda replied.
“This isn’t the army. Maybe I could speak to someone in charge?” I got the impression Gilly was used to getting her way.
“That would be me. What would you like to speak about?”
Gilly blushed and joined the back of the queue. There were twenty-five of us lined up to report for duty. From what I saw, there was an equal number of men and women, and I would put money on them all being younger than me. I was going to have to try to use it as an advantage. I had maturity. Life experience. Eye bags.
The guy in front of me gave his name, and I stepped to the front of the queue. “Sutton Scott,” I said.
“Good to have you here, Sutton. Your locker number is 97. Please collect your scrubs, change, and meet me back here.”
It did feel a little like I’d enrolled in the army, but it had been clear on the joining instructions that we were going to wear scrubs. They also asked us to wear trainers. I guess Gilly had only skimmed the letter or thought the rules wouldn’t apply to her.
Once we were changed, we had our photos taken for temporary security passes. Then we were ushered down three floors to the lower basement and into a lecture theatre.
Somehow, Veronica caught up to me as we took our seats. “You mind if I sit here?”
“Not at all,” I said.
Veronica’s red hair was a mass of curls and she wore a serious expression at all times. But she seemed friendly enough and I was grateful to know the names of a couple people here.
“I think this is just an introduction to the hospital and some health and safety,” Veronica said. “Tomorrow we start technology training.”
How did she know all this? I had read the joining instructions. Technology training? What did that involve? The use of robotics in surgery? I didn’t expect to be dropped in at the deep end like that, but at the same time I was excited. This was what I’d been working toward for years. This was what I dreamed about when I zoned out while my clients talked about their holidays and ex-boyfriends, about their plastic surgery and their dog’s personality shift since their castration. I’d heard it all. Twice. People confessed the strangest things to their hairdresser. Over the course of time, even without knowing a single personal detail about me, my clients came to see me as their friend.
Veronica must have seen the expression of excitement on my face. “You know,” she said. “So we’re familiar with the computer system, the phones, and the tablets.”
“Oh,” I replied, not covering my disappointment very well. I’d been excited to start to see patients as a doctor rather than a medical student and keen to prove myself. I supposed the next few days would be the administration to allow us to practice. It made sense but it was also a little disappointing. As much as I wasn’t looking forward to long shifts and late nights, I was used to working hard and keen to do so again. I wanted to get my hands dirty.