Message from RCSEd Vice President
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Message from the Vice President, Mr Pala Rajesh
Dear Affiliates, Members &Fellows of RCSEd in the UK and the rest of the world. I never dreamt that this sort of unprecedented crisis will hit us in our lifetime. No scientific publication thus far has informed us of a solution but experiences of what it is, how to contain it and not allow spread has been published. Governments all over the world are watching it surge and hit anywhere at any time with no respect for any one in spite of precautions taken within their available resources.
Front line health professionals are working relentlessly and selflessly putting not only their lives but that of their loved ones at home at risk. This has been recognised and applauded in a variety of ways by lighting lamps, clapping as a nation. This has unanimous acknowledgement by heads of states throughout the world.
The college stands right behind you in this dark hour to guide, support and provide pastoral care when needed. We wish to hear from with regard to your experiences, concerns and needs. I fold my hands in reverence to the way you have risen to the occasion and to the amazing work you are doing to alleviate the suffering of your patients.
"Sweet are the uses of adversity"
Act 2 Scene 1 “As You Like It”, William Shakespeare
“Stay Home, Stay safe, Save lives.” Gov.UK
Isn’t it an irony that we can save lives by staying at home? The lock down is not a punishment, it is an opportunity , a gift of time to protect ourselves and others , to communicate, to reflect, to share, to give, to be creative and to build. In this era when we are all rushing around with barely any time for ourselves let alone others we are being forced to stop to put the brakes on to look and listen, to think.
If you are locked down with family as many are, get to know the family, strengthen the bonds, distribute the daily tasks and build on the team. Have conversations with the children, catch up on lost time with them , share their ideas and their thoughts. Share activities with your spouse,. spend time together, renew and nurture relationships that may be fraying with pressures of daily life.
Inculcate a self discipline. Set a structure to the day, rise at a regular time and exercise daily , make it a fun experience with your spouse or children. If you can go for a walk practice social distancing, you can still smile across the road and say “hello”. Make time for chores and tasks long put off or forgotten.
Shop only for what you need. There is plenty available for everyone. Let us not forget the elderly the infirm and the children. Let’s not be over indulgent. Let us eat healthily and enjoy simple nutritious meals. Enjoy cooking, some of you may well surprise yourselves at becoming gourmet chefs by the end of all this.
What ever happened to those hobbies? Get out those paints and water colours the partly read books, the music you didn’t find time to listen to, treat yourself to the recorded TV programmes you didn’t get to watch. Did you always want to keep a diary, maybe a scrap book , put together your photo albums, now is your chance. Catch up on old friends but don’t forget the ones around you , do check up on the elderly neighbour , the friend just out of hospital the ones who are alone.
This is a time to be thankful for all we have, a roof, a home, food , loved ones, a job. A nation and an NHS that cares. But there are those without, with just their loneliness, their anxieties and fears of what tomorrow will bring. Spare a thought for them and in whatever ways possible let us help. Be it voluntary help, a bit of shopping, a phone call, just some reassurance or moral support, a little prayer even.
The fear is everywhere around us but we must be strong , we must be positive we must be in it together. Sadly some may experience the loss of patients, of loved ones, of friends . We know not what there is ahead . So let us live each day the best way we can and where we have changed ourselves and our lives let us take that change into the days ahead so that this huge catastrophe and the cost it has come with will never have been in vain.
Stay safe, stay well stay in it together.
by Mr Pala Rajesh Vice President, RCSEd and Rekha Rajesh FRCGP (General Practitioner)
