A Returning Doctor
@returningdoctor.bsky.social
Consultant Anaesthetist • NHS • Returned to medicine after a long career break • Mum • Introvert • Runner (slow & happy) • Coffee (always) ☕
#Anaesthesia • #MedSky • #AnSky • #CareerReturn • #ReturningDoctor 🩺
#Anaesthesia • #MedSky • #AnSky • #CareerReturn • #ReturningDoctor 🩺
Pinned
When I was thinking of leaving hospital medicine, I was feeling lost.
I didn't ask for support but I wasn't offered any either.
What advice would have helped me?
A thread 🧵
I didn't ask for support but I wasn't offered any either.
What advice would have helped me?
A thread 🧵
Hey #AnSky #MedSKy #HFESKy let me know what you think of this piece on the Nemesis Effect in Healthcare.
Bouquets and brickbats welcome
esmed.org/MRA/mra/arti...
Bouquets and brickbats welcome
esmed.org/MRA/mra/arti...
View of The Nemesis Effect in Healthcare: Complexity, Artificial Intelligence and Patient Safety
esmed.org
February 2, 2026 at 6:53 PM
February 2, 2026 at 6:40 PM
Reposted by A Returning Doctor
It's twenty years today since I started my anaesthetic training, at Charing Cross Hospital. In that time I've looked after many thousands of patients, placed innumerable cannulas, injected rivers of propofol, and stuck a pine tree's worth of needles into people. 🧵
February 1, 2026 at 3:50 PM
It's twenty years today since I started my anaesthetic training, at Charing Cross Hospital. In that time I've looked after many thousands of patients, placed innumerable cannulas, injected rivers of propofol, and stuck a pine tree's worth of needles into people. 🧵
Hi #AnSky - maybe a daft question, but here goes...
I can understand accepting a higher BP at POA clinic compared to primary care clinic, but why the big difference in acceptable ambulatory/home BP measurements?
I can understand accepting a higher BP at POA clinic compared to primary care clinic, but why the big difference in acceptable ambulatory/home BP measurements?
Don't forget about this handy flowchart for the management of adult blood pressure in the peri-operative period!
#AnSky #MedSky #SurgSky
doi.org/10.1111/anae...
#AnSky #MedSky #SurgSky
doi.org/10.1111/anae...
February 2, 2026 at 5:20 PM
Hi #AnSky - maybe a daft question, but here goes...
I can understand accepting a higher BP at POA clinic compared to primary care clinic, but why the big difference in acceptable ambulatory/home BP measurements?
I can understand accepting a higher BP at POA clinic compared to primary care clinic, but why the big difference in acceptable ambulatory/home BP measurements?
I jogged continuously for 50 minutes for the first time in ages.
Slow but steady, enjoyed that!
🙂👣👟🏃♀️
#UKRunChat
Slow but steady, enjoyed that!
🙂👣👟🏃♀️
#UKRunChat
February 1, 2026 at 4:58 PM
I jogged continuously for 50 minutes for the first time in ages.
Slow but steady, enjoyed that!
🙂👣👟🏃♀️
#UKRunChat
Slow but steady, enjoyed that!
🙂👣👟🏃♀️
#UKRunChat
There is some blue sky with some geese in it and some snowdrops and some wee birds in the garden.
Spring is on the horizon, my friends.
Spring is on the horizon, my friends.
February 1, 2026 at 12:12 PM
There is some blue sky with some geese in it and some snowdrops and some wee birds in the garden.
Spring is on the horizon, my friends.
Spring is on the horizon, my friends.
Reposted by A Returning Doctor
February 1, 2026 at 11:12 AM
A thoroughly enjoyable Sunday morning listen!
A brilliant panel and great questions from the audience.
A brilliant panel and great questions from the audience.
Everything you ever wanted to know about anaesthesia but were too afraid to ask. Presented by the always amazing @claudiahammond.bsky.social feat. @brucebiccard.bsky.social @estamatakis.bsky.social, Jennifer Hunter & me!
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
The Evidence - Anaesthesia - BBC Sounds
What happens to our brains and our consciousness when we’re put to sleep?
www.bbc.co.uk
February 1, 2026 at 9:50 AM
A thoroughly enjoyable Sunday morning listen!
A brilliant panel and great questions from the audience.
A brilliant panel and great questions from the audience.
"It is (now) a truth universally acknowledged, that @maffygirl.medsky.social co-authored the first paper to examine the taste of garlic with thiopentone."
This is my claim to fame sadly never acknowledged, the first paper to examine the taste of garlic with thiopentone.
I am sad no one appreciated the magnificence of this investigation.
The World’s garlic expert thought we were odd asking him about this.
I am sad no one appreciated the magnificence of this investigation.
The World’s garlic expert thought we were odd asking him about this.
I co wrote the first paper on the taste of garlic with thiopentone.
Much described at the time but never written up.
My claim to infamy 😊
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8862647/
Much described at the time but never written up.
My claim to infamy 😊
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8862647/
February 1, 2026 at 8:40 AM
"It is (now) a truth universally acknowledged, that @maffygirl.medsky.social co-authored the first paper to examine the taste of garlic with thiopentone."
We have made it through January
🥳
It has been an extraordinarily busy month
Onwards we go
💪🏻
🥳
It has been an extraordinarily busy month
Onwards we go
💪🏻
February 1, 2026 at 8:22 AM
We have made it through January
🥳
It has been an extraordinarily busy month
Onwards we go
💪🏻
🥳
It has been an extraordinarily busy month
Onwards we go
💪🏻
Reposted by A Returning Doctor
'Surgical pause' has no penalty for older pts even in emergencies 🤯. This could really up-end current management.
'delayed surgery was associated with worse outcomes for younger but not older adults. These findings challenge the prevailing urgency... preop optimization may mitigate risks'.
#MedSky
'delayed surgery was associated with worse outcomes for younger but not older adults. These findings challenge the prevailing urgency... preop optimization may mitigate risks'.
#MedSky
February 1, 2026 at 7:38 AM
'Surgical pause' has no penalty for older pts even in emergencies 🤯. This could really up-end current management.
'delayed surgery was associated with worse outcomes for younger but not older adults. These findings challenge the prevailing urgency... preop optimization may mitigate risks'.
#MedSky
'delayed surgery was associated with worse outcomes for younger but not older adults. These findings challenge the prevailing urgency... preop optimization may mitigate risks'.
#MedSky
I've just watched One Life
Here's a clip from the original That's Life programme
youtu.be/z-fdimY38m8?...
Here's a clip from the original That's Life programme
youtu.be/z-fdimY38m8?...
Nicholas Winton on That's Life (BBC)
YouTube video by Culture Vulture Rises
youtu.be
January 31, 2026 at 7:13 PM
I've just watched One Life
Here's a clip from the original That's Life programme
youtu.be/z-fdimY38m8?...
Here's a clip from the original That's Life programme
youtu.be/z-fdimY38m8?...
Reposted by A Returning Doctor
Everything you ever wanted to know about anaesthesia but were too afraid to ask. Presented by the always amazing @claudiahammond.bsky.social feat. @brucebiccard.bsky.social @estamatakis.bsky.social, Jennifer Hunter & me!
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
The Evidence - Anaesthesia - BBC Sounds
What happens to our brains and our consciousness when we’re put to sleep?
www.bbc.co.uk
January 31, 2026 at 6:38 PM
Everything you ever wanted to know about anaesthesia but were too afraid to ask. Presented by the always amazing @claudiahammond.bsky.social feat. @brucebiccard.bsky.social @estamatakis.bsky.social, Jennifer Hunter & me!
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Reposted by A Returning Doctor
"We will all falter at some point in our professional lives. What matters most is how we meet one another in those moments—whether with judgment and isolation, or with honesty, empathy, and the measured grace that underpins truly ethical leadership."
Errors are inevitable.
How do we reinforce #professionalism while preserving #humility in #medicine?
This A&A Practice piece reflects on taking "an ethical pause". Beautiful read.
#MedHum #Humanism #Anesthesia
journals.lww.com/aacr/fulltex...
How do we reinforce #professionalism while preserving #humility in #medicine?
This A&A Practice piece reflects on taking "an ethical pause". Beautiful read.
#MedHum #Humanism #Anesthesia
journals.lww.com/aacr/fulltex...
January 31, 2026 at 12:26 PM
"We will all falter at some point in our professional lives. What matters most is how we meet one another in those moments—whether with judgment and isolation, or with honesty, empathy, and the measured grace that underpins truly ethical leadership."
🏴🙂🏴
I am delighted to be able to share the recording and slide presentations from our recent webinar 'Your Path Back to Clinical Practice'
learn.nes.nhs.scot/88290/centre...
Learning Session 18:
learn.nes.nhs.scot/88288
The presentation also highlights the new Turas Hub support resources.
🏴🙂🏴
I am delighted to be able to share the recording and slide presentations from our recent webinar 'Your Path Back to Clinical Practice'
learn.nes.nhs.scot/88290/centre...
Learning Session 18:
learn.nes.nhs.scot/88288
The presentation also highlights the new Turas Hub support resources.
🏴🙂🏴
Loading...
learn.nes.nhs.scot
January 31, 2026 at 10:57 AM
🏴🙂🏴
I am delighted to be able to share the recording and slide presentations from our recent webinar 'Your Path Back to Clinical Practice'
learn.nes.nhs.scot/88290/centre...
Learning Session 18:
learn.nes.nhs.scot/88288
The presentation also highlights the new Turas Hub support resources.
🏴🙂🏴
I am delighted to be able to share the recording and slide presentations from our recent webinar 'Your Path Back to Clinical Practice'
learn.nes.nhs.scot/88290/centre...
Learning Session 18:
learn.nes.nhs.scot/88288
The presentation also highlights the new Turas Hub support resources.
🏴🙂🏴
At nearly 7pm after a very long day, this is 😫
Before the AI stuff, can we sort out the IT that staff actually need to do the basics day to day in the here and now
Please
Before the AI stuff, can we sort out the IT that staff actually need to do the basics day to day in the here and now
Please
January 29, 2026 at 6:54 PM
At nearly 7pm after a very long day, this is 😫
Before the AI stuff, can we sort out the IT that staff actually need to do the basics day to day in the here and now
Please
Before the AI stuff, can we sort out the IT that staff actually need to do the basics day to day in the here and now
Please
Interesting!
I wonder if/when the UK will do the same.
I wonder if/when the UK will do the same.
The @anzca.bsky.social “PG28 Guideline on infection prevention
and control in anaesthesia 2025” now states that sterile gowns are not required for all single shot spinals.
This could reduce a significant amount of waste.
#Ansky
www.anzca.edu.au/getContentAs...
and control in anaesthesia 2025” now states that sterile gowns are not required for all single shot spinals.
This could reduce a significant amount of waste.
#Ansky
www.anzca.edu.au/getContentAs...
January 29, 2026 at 5:53 AM
Interesting!
I wonder if/when the UK will do the same.
I wonder if/when the UK will do the same.
January 28, 2026 at 7:48 PM
We may even get a glimpse of the big round yellow thing in the sky today.
Tea sounds just the ticket.
☕
Tea sounds just the ticket.
☕
Morning.
Has the rain stopped where you are? The birds are singing here, so I guess we can come out of the ark.
Tea?
Has the rain stopped where you are? The birds are singing here, so I guess we can come out of the ark.
Tea?
a cartoon dog is pouring tea from a green teapot into a cup .
Alt: a cartoon dog is pouring tea from a green teapot into a cup .
media.tenor.com
January 28, 2026 at 7:21 AM
We may even get a glimpse of the big round yellow thing in the sky today.
Tea sounds just the ticket.
☕
Tea sounds just the ticket.
☕
That first cup has magic in it, I'm sure of it
First cup of tea: suddenly I can say every tongue-twister ever devised.
January 28, 2026 at 6:57 AM
That first cup has magic in it, I'm sure of it
Reposted by A Returning Doctor
Early stroll. The sky breathes a rainless sigh of relief. A glistening car roof. Time has a long relationship with that old wall. A bloke in the bus shelter calls me his pal. The gritter’s orange lights delineate the hill.
January 28, 2026 at 6:19 AM
Early stroll. The sky breathes a rainless sigh of relief. A glistening car roof. Time has a long relationship with that old wall. A bloke in the bus shelter calls me his pal. The gritter’s orange lights delineate the hill.
Best of luck to everyone sitting their Primary FRCA OSCEs and SOEs this week.
🍀🍀🍀
It's a brutal time having your life taken over by these exams - just wanted to acknowledge that I haven't forgotten what it felt like.
🍀🍀🍀
🍀🍀🍀
It's a brutal time having your life taken over by these exams - just wanted to acknowledge that I haven't forgotten what it felt like.
🍀🍀🍀
a cartoon of carrots potatoes and beets with the words rooting for you below them
Alt: a cartoon of carrots potatoes and beets with the words rooting for you below them
media.tenor.com
January 28, 2026 at 6:54 AM
Best of luck to everyone sitting their Primary FRCA OSCEs and SOEs this week.
🍀🍀🍀
It's a brutal time having your life taken over by these exams - just wanted to acknowledge that I haven't forgotten what it felt like.
🍀🍀🍀
🍀🍀🍀
It's a brutal time having your life taken over by these exams - just wanted to acknowledge that I haven't forgotten what it felt like.
🍀🍀🍀
My great grandfather, as a police officer, assisted Jews in Amsterdam by alerting them to round-ups. He was later arrested and executed at Vught.
My grandmother and great-aunt hid possessions of Jewish friends in Leiden.
Incredible bravery.
#HolocaustRemembranceDay
My grandmother and great-aunt hid possessions of Jewish friends in Leiden.
Incredible bravery.
#HolocaustRemembranceDay
January 27, 2026 at 9:05 AM
My great grandfather, as a police officer, assisted Jews in Amsterdam by alerting them to round-ups. He was later arrested and executed at Vught.
My grandmother and great-aunt hid possessions of Jewish friends in Leiden.
Incredible bravery.
#HolocaustRemembranceDay
My grandmother and great-aunt hid possessions of Jewish friends in Leiden.
Incredible bravery.
#HolocaustRemembranceDay
A never event -
Measles is re-established in the UK.
Measles is re-established in the UK.
UKHSA responds to the confirmation from @WHO that the UK has lost its measles elimination status.
Read more from WHO here: https://bit.ly/3YZuOFa
Read more from WHO here: https://bit.ly/3YZuOFa
January 27, 2026 at 4:38 AM
A never event -
Measles is re-established in the UK.
Measles is re-established in the UK.