Clinical medicine (London, England)
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During the COVID-19 pandemic, many final-year medical students were qualified early with the voluntary option to join the workforce as foundation interim year 1 (FiY1) doctors. In this column, a foundation year 1 (FY1) doctor reflects on their FiY1 experience of starting work as a practising doctor in the height of a pandemic. The process of the induction, the structure of the job, and the overall experience of an FiY1 doctor is reviewed and reflected on against previous years. The author aims to shed light on the FiY1 role for students who may find themselves in similar positions in the future.
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Fluid-repellent surgical masks (FRSMs) are recommended by the UK government for healthcare workers as personal protective equipment (PPE) against SARS-COV-2. UK Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) national guidelines states that 'masks must be well-fitting and fit for purpose, fully covering the mouth and nose'. ⋯ The current supply of FRSMs are poorly fitting for many users and do not meet the UK IPC guideline standard. These issues were not evident when worn with a plastic strap or with FFP3 masks.
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Novel psychoactive substances (NPS) are a growing public health concern. We aimed to identify the acute neurological consequences of NPS. ⋯ NPS users represent a vulnerable group in society. Certain clinical features may suggest the type of NPS used. Most patients require supportive management and onward referral to drug addiction services is recommended.