Show Notes
This month we hear from Dr Sarah Clark who works one day a week as a clinical assessor for Medical Justice. Medical Justice are a charity who work to support the health and legal rights for people who are held in immigration detention. Sarah outlines how she got into the role and what it involves and where you can find out more information. Top tips
Provide Holistic patient care - When working with those held in immigration detention, it is important to consider the whole person in front of you, addressing both the physical and psychosocial aspects of your patient’s health. Migrants may face multiple stressors, including housing insecurity, lack of social support, or financial difficulties, which can affect their mental health too.
Manage the Emotional Impact - Working with migrant populations, especially those facing trauma can be emotionally taxing. Take time for self-care and seek professional support when needed. Sarah recommends taking some down time after the assessments. Medical Justice also offer groups with a psychotherapist that you are welcome to attend. They also offer six funded sessions of psychotherapy per year to support your mental wellbeing as a GP.
Explore uncharted territory - If you are interested in getting involved, Sarah recommends attending one of the Medical Justice basics training days which are advertised on their website, usually held twice a year. Sarah encourages you to sign up to their mailing list to find out first about upcoming training dates. The training provides an overview of the work involved and an opportunity to decide if it is for you. There's no commitment as you can try a few assessments to see if it's something you want to pursue a career in.
Do your research - Research the main charities websites who do this type of work such as Medical Justice, the Helen Bamber Foundation and read through statements from both patients and doctors who work for these charities. Some of the organisations host webinars where you can stay up to date on their website and social media channels for upcoming events to attend to get more information.
Dr Sarah Clark is a GP in Bristol and has a portfolio role working with Medical Justice as a Clinical Assessor.
Further reading Medical Justice website https://medicaljustice.org.uk/
Helen Bamber Foundation website https://www.helenbamber.org/
RCGP GPwER in Population Health and Health Inequalities Framework https://www.rcgp.org.uk/your-career/gp-extended-roles/population-health-inequalities-introduction RCGP Asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants https://www.rcgp.org.uk/representing-you/policy-areas/asylum-seekers
RCGP Health Inequities Hub and Health Equity Special Interest Group https://elearning.rcgp.org.uk/course/view.php?id=459
RCGP Mentoring https://www.rcgp.org.uk/your-career/gp-mentoring
Migrant Health guide https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/migrant-health-guide
RCGP Podcast Feedback Your feedback plays a crucial role in helping us improve the CPD products and services we offer. We would be grateful if you could please complete our short RCGP Podcast Survey, which will take no more than 5 minutes to complete.
More from The GP+ Careers Podcast
In this episode of the GP+ Careers series, host Sophie explores the medical examiner role with Bristol based GP partner Dr Justine De Mink. Now a statutory requirement in England and Wales, this position involves scrutinizing deaths to improve certification accuracy and provide an independent voice for families. Justine explains how the role offers vital clinical governance while impacting public health data and service funding. Discover the entry pathway, including 26 mandatory e-learning modules and specialised training for this "intellectually satisfying" addition to a portfolio career. RCGP Podcast Feedback Your feedback plays a crucial role in helping us improve the CPD products and services we offer. We would be grateful if you could please complete our short RCGP Podcast Survey, which will take no more than 5 minutes to complete. Top Tips
This episode of the podcast features Dr Charlie Andrews, a GP Partner in North Somerset who has developed a diverse career as a GP with an extended role (GPwER) in gastroenterology. His journey began after a personal experience with inflammatory bowel disease as a history student, which inspired him to enter medicine via the graduate entry route. Charlie highlights a new, fully funded national training programme he developed with NHS England, offering GPs a structured two-year pathway into the specialty. By combining clinical sessions in secondary care with a 12-month educational curriculum, the programme aims to provide career variety and improve patient access by bridging the gap between primary and secondary care. Top Tips
In this episode of the GP+ Careers podcast, host Sophie is joined by Dr Rammya Mathew, a GP in Northwest London and a borough medical director in Brent. Alongside these leadership roles, Rammya is a regular columnist for the BMJ and a GP appraiser. The episode explores her journey into medical journalism, from her early days being active on social media to being headhunted for one of the most prestigious journals in medicine. Rammya shares her tips on overcoming imposter syndrome, finding your voice, and the practicalities of balancing a varied portfolio career. Top Tips
Join us this month as Sophie speaks with Dr Maisun Elftise, a GP and Consultant in Integrated and Community Care working in an urgent care setting in Coventry. She highlights the improved work-life balance she gained in a shift-based model that eliminates traditional administrative burdens like practice lists and blood result follow-ups. Maisun also discusses her passion for tackling health inequalities and provides practical advice for GPs looking to explore this career path.
In this episode of the GP+ Careers podcast, Sophie interviews Dr John Diamond, a GP based in Northern Ireland as he shares his journey of developing an extended role in dermatology to tackle Northern Ireland’s multi-year secondary care waiting lists. Drawing on his experience with the Cardiff diploma and the GPECs elective service, he provides practical advice on finding a clinical "spark," collaborating with colleagues, and starting small within your own practice. Top Tips