Heartbeat: New chief registrar comes ‘home’

December 14, 2022

Local girl Dr Laura Pearson took up the position of chief registrar in September and speaking to Heartbeat she explained why it felt like coming home.

“I was pleased to be appointed chief registrar for SWB, as I have a very soft spot for the Trust gained through different periods working here. Initially I started in 2009 as an FY1 (Foundation Year One doctor) at Sandwell, was a SHO (Senior House Officer) at City in 2012-13 and have done some of my registrar training here. Although I am new to the Trust in this role, I feel like I’ve come home, for even as I walk down the corridor there is always someone saying hello. It is a really warm and friendly place to work. What stands out is that senior colleagues treat you as their equal; they really care and support you and that is important when you are starting out in your career.

It was a serious riding accident when she was 12 that helped Laura find her calling in medicine as she recovered from a broken back in hospital. She explained: “I was really interested in what was going on around me in hospital and was in awe of the work that the medical staff were doing. I felt drawn to a career where I could help people.

“After choosing medicine I knew I wanted a speciality where I could engage with my patients and look at them as a whole, rather than focusing on one symptom or diagnosis. As an elderly care registrar, I am able to realise my ambition to care holistically about patients and have difficult conversations compassionately. As a geriatrician we are not just treating one illness but looking at the whole picture and the care going forwards – looking at the whole patient.”

Laura is keen that her experience and insight helps inspire colleagues as she makes wellbeing a priority. “One thing I hope that my experience of working here during my training brings to my role is a real insight. My experience of working at other Trusts – especially during the pandemic – has shown me that SWB has one of the best approaches to wellbeing for junior doctors, and that is not solely my own view but is echoed by other junior doctors I have talked with. I feel passionately about it, and I hope that I can be part of making it even better.

“I think the communication about our wellbeing support is very well done and it is very well publicised, keeping it at the front of everyone’s minds. And, our peer support sessions facilitated by Mike Blaber, along with other senior colleagues including Huma Naqvi and Anna Lock, are very well done.

“As a new mum and working less than full time I hope I can be an example to others, showing that it is possible to be in a leadership position whilst also having a young family. I feel passionately about the wellbeing of colleagues and would encourage them to contact me if there is anything more we can do.”

Colleagues who would like to contact Laura can do so through swbh.chief-reg@nhs.net.