Today is International Women’s Day!

The origins of IWD can be traced to the introduction of New York City’s “Women’s Day” in the early 20^th century to commemorate a 1908 march for better hours, pay and voting rights for women. The annual commemoration soon began to spread, with celebrations popping up across Europe a few years later.

During the mid-20^th century, interest in International Women’s Day began to decline. However, spurred by the growth of feminist movements in the 1960s and official recognition and sponsorship by the United Nations in 1975, International Women’s Day received increased coverage and became prominent in mainstream thought once again. Today, International Women’s Day stands as an important occasion for the promotion of women’s rights and issues, as well as an opportunity for celebration and reflection.

To celebrate, we spoke to three women working across NPC in different roles to learn some more about their background, their role and the challenges they’ve faced to get to this point in their journey.

Abi Callender – Deputy Group Manager at NPC

What has been your biggest challenge? What was it like? How did it make you feel? How did you overcome this?

In my professional life, COVID has definitely been a big challenge in recent years. Keeping up with and ensuring everyone is adhering to the ever changing national guidance was difficult, but also incredibly important in order to ensure the safety of our patients. Communication was key during this time and we’ve grown as a team, and organisation, since then because of this.

What advice would you give to your younger self? Or, to someone thinking of starting a career in your field.

If it’s not going to matter in 5 years time, don’t spend more than 5 minutes worrying about it. 

Dr Lily Lamb – GP at Ponteland Medical Group

Could you tell us us a bit about your role in NPC?

I currently work as a salaried GP for NPC at Ponteland Medical Group, the practice I have been at since my registrar training over 10 years ago. I am a medical student teaching lead for the practice and I teach third year medical students from Newcastle University every week. I run teaching clinics where students have the opportunity to develop their consultation and clinical reasoning skills with real patients. 

What has been your biggest success? What was it like? How did it make you feel?

Recently I was awarded an National Institute for Health Research Doctoral Fellowship, which I commence next month. These are prestigious, national fellowships and I am amongst a small handful of GPs to have been awarded one in recent years following an extremely challenging application process. I will be completing a PhD and undertaking research in the area of recruitment to careers in general practice which will hopefully have the ability to influence national educational policy. I feel excited and daunted at the prospect of undertaking this Fellowship, and really hope I can take positive action on the crucial issue of recruitment to the specialty.

What has been your biggest challenge? What was it like? How did it make you feel? How did you overcome this?

It is challenging juggling being a Mum and a GP, and I particularly found it hard when my children were very little whilst I was doing a 7 sessions of general practice. I felt I wasn’t unable to keep on top of anything; constantly rushing and stressed. I overcame this by setting boundaries, accepting that less than perfect was often enough and by trying to be present physically and mentally for my children when I could. Having an academic career and taking on voluntary roles has helped provide a different perspective and I enjoy the intellectual stimulation of my diverse positions. I also learnt the importance of self care and to make time to be quiet or to exercise. For me, mindful running or family walks in the Northumberland countryside is a great energy source. 

What advice would you give to your younger self? Or, to someone thinking of starting a career in your field.

Surround yourself by people who want the best for you, and seek out people who share your passion. I have developed a great professional network of local and national GPs and healthcare leaders which has been essential in shaping my career journey so far. This has come about through putting myself in new, and sometimes intimidating, environments. I still experience imposter syndrome, but looking back it has been the connections I have made that have created opportunities and opened doors for me. 

Nicola Carter – Business Unit Officer and PA

What has been your biggest challenge? What was it like? How did it make you feel? How did you overcome this?

I have had many challenges throughout the years with my parent’s divorce, my mum having a bleed on the brain/stroke on my 18th birthday and then having lung cancer 13 years ago. I have also experienced my own personal issues with depression, anxiety and, more recently, panic attacks. There has been many a low along with the highs, but I’ve got through it all with determination and help from the strong female role models in my life. I also make sure I take time out for myself to reset.

What advice would you give to your younger self? Or, to someone thinking of starting a career in your field.

The advice I would give my younger self is to not let anyone dull your sparkle. Take that chance, aim for the stars and you never know that chance could lead to amazing things.

Thank you to Abi, Lily and Nicola for taking some time to share their stories with us.

Find out more about International Women’s Day through the links below:

• International Women’s Day
• UN

Are you interested in a career with Northumbria Primary Care? Head over to our Working For Us page to find out more about what it’s like to work at NPC.