Hi everyone,

It’s Alex here. Sorry it’s been so long since I’ve posted anything but I’ve been busy with placements, exams and essays in Birmingham. It’s a bit quieter just now, so I thought I’d let you all know what’s going on.

I’m about to start on another clinical placement, this time at Headley Court Rehabilitation Centre, which is the Armed Forces’ dedicated rehabilitation centre for soldiers who have been seriously injured whilst on duty. I am really looking forward to it and will be there for 7 weeks. As an added bonus it’s only about 20 minutes away from home, which is lovely as I can pop home at weekends.

The exams that have just passed were quite a mixed bag. One of them was maths which I think went well, but the other was an O.S.C.E. (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) – this is a practical exam where you have a mannequin representing a patient and you have to medically assess the ‘person’ and provide a brief diagnosis. My scenario was that the patient had a serious complication of Type 1 diabetes and needed to get to hospital as soon as possible. I think it went okay, but I was nervous and found it difficult to have a normal conversation with a mannequin! Throughout the practical, a lecturer was observing me and asking questions to check my understanding. I will get the results back in about a month.

Other than revision and an essay that I handed in about ‘good nursing evidence-based practice’, I am training in preparation for running the London BUPA 10k again in May (this time with some friends), so I’m starting to do a run a week – which will need to be increased soon…I just really don’t like running.

I was fortunate enough to visit the new Surbiton Home at Christmas. It is so beautiful and homely! I went in with my mum on Christmas day and assisted residents with breakfast. The atmosphere was really nice and everyone was in a great mood – the first Christmas in a new home. Some of my friends are soon to be on placement in the Solihull Home, so look out for three young faces with ‘rank slides’ on their shoulders.

Anyway, I’d better get back to packing my bags for placement – there’s so much I need to remember to take with me – and I’m having to carry it down on the train, so effective packing strategies will need to be used!

I hope you are all well, and best wishes to everyone living in the Homes.

Alex (LAC Doyle)