Ann Christian - Birkenhead High School 1962 - 1969

Consultant Anaesthetist

 All I ever wanted to do was to be a doctor. I entered Leeds University Medical School in 1970 having studied science A-levels purely to achieve this aim. To-day’s medical students are more fortunate ; although grade requirements are high, AAB, the only compulsory subject is Chemistry.

 My time at medical school was hardworking but fun. I met many people who are lifelong friends and also my husband.

 After house jobs I was uncertain which career path to follow ; one of the advantages of medicine is that there are so many options, general practice, public health or hospital-based and many specialities : Anaesthesia, A&E, Medicine, Surgery, Paeds, Obs and Radiology are but a selection.

 Having started in an SHO post in anaesthesia it turned out to be exactly right for me. It requires a wide medical knowledge, excellent practical skills, rapid and confident decision-making and the communication skills necessary to gain the trust of a patient who is literally putting their life in your hands.

 The current training programme is 8 years for progression to a consultant post. In my current training role I anaesthetize for day case patients, patients undergoing major vascular surgery and those who have suffered trauma. I also spend a day responsible for the anaesthesia on the delivery suite for women in labour and having Caesarian sections. I teach medical students and junior doctors and as the Clinical Director have overall responsibility for theatres, the day case unit, Pain Clinic and Intensive Care Unit.

 Along the way I have had two children who are now grown up.

 I cannot imagine doing anything else. The reward of knowing that you are helping people on a daily basis is immense but the job entails years of studying, long hours which continue as a consultant and tremendous responsibility. You must really want to do it but, if you do, good luck, and there is not anything like it.

I would like to be contacted through the Minerva website. Unfortunately I personally cannot offer work experience ; it has to be organized with the hospital.