I had my final day of a community-based rotation today. It’s my 10th rotation since becoming a doctor, so I have learnt to expect the usual drill- no acknowledgement whatsoever, except perhaps a barbed email asking me to do something or other before I leave.
What actually happened today, however, was so much more than I expected. I was asked to go to the meeting room where the team had gathered, and then I was presented with a flower pot, box of chocolates AND not 1 but 2 cards, by the consultant. They said how much they appreciated my work and would miss me. I genuinely couldn’t believe what was happening, and how humanising it all felt.
Afterwards, I told the consultant I need to sort parking for my next rotation and they let me leave 1.5 hours early, no questions asked. This rotation even gave me a NAMED locker and free parking. For a 3 month job. An NHS hospital could never.
Anyway, I’m going to spend the rest of the day soaking in what it felt like to be treated like a real person and not a name on a rota. Back to NHS hospital trenches tomorrow.