Thread by @Salma_Khatun100

My name is Salma, a final year medical student. I took the scenic route after personal circumstances prevented me from taking up my original offer to study medicine at 18. I have worked over 10 jobs to put myself through medical school. #LiveableNHSbursary 1/19🧵

I’m the 1st in my family to go to university and from a widening participation background. Having completed a first degree in clinical sciences (1st class honours & top of my class) – I was locked out of funding aimed at widening participation students. 2/19

I often worked over full time hours + doing a full-time degree. This obviously took a hit to my mental & physical health. I survived by working, being savvy w/ money, hardship funds, the BMA trust fund, RMBF, discretionary funds, etc - all invasive processes. 3/19

I understand the reasoning behind it. These grants have tough eligibility criteria, hard to put in a successful application), even when experiencing severe hardship. I felt guilty for buying McDonald’s & the transaction appearing on my bank statement for applications. 4/19

I survived by picking up yellow sticker discounted food late at night after tiring shifts at work & uni. I survived by being a food waste champion for @OLIO_ex. What broke my heart were the families with young children who also used olio as a means to eat. 5/19

I was lucky I had a wonderful flatmate who kindly supplemented my food. I save the plastic bottles from my recycling because Sainsburys gives me 5p back for each bottle & that gives me a discount for my shopping - my reduced food shopping. 6/19

I utilised advice from @MoneySavingExp. I had no choice but to have meticulous time management & good work ethic, as time literally was money. I was often called a ‘sweat’ & others both admired and worried about my conscientiousness; but they didn’t know my circumstances. 7/19

In 2nd year, I had a toxic landlord situation who stayed in my room whilst I was on an academic delegation. He said he was going to sort repairs out - I returned from my academic delegation to being homeless and being asked to leave- mere weeks before my exams. 8/19

I discovered mould on my belongings where 1/2 of them needed to be disposed of. The notice for eviction was illegal too. Response from landlord: “I am an established landlord and a professional with cover for unforeseen situations like this in place. 9/19

I would not like to take this any further by instructing my solicitors… (it) may have huge (consequences) on her both personally and financially.” I didn’t have the emotional energy to fight it. I never got compensation for my damaged items. Funding limits where you live. 10/19

3rd year - start of the pandemic, I faced more personal problems; the building financial pressures led to the development of suicidal thoughts. I also became physically very unwell where I developed a chronic illness. This further disabled me & my ability to work. 11/19

As I was now frequently attending hospital appointments (3x a week) & on immunosuppression treatment. End of 4th year, I faced occupational health barriers & more family issues. 3 weeks before nearly finishing the academic year, it was suggested that I take the year out. 12/19

But this would mean repeating the year (and paying more to do so). I cried so much. Financially this would have crippled me & lead to me dropped out altogether. I couldn’t afford the tuition and living costs again. 13/19

I was told the course was probably making me unwell. No, it was the financial pressures, a new disability and personal problems were the source of stress and illness. Not the course that I loved, I just needed to be supported. 14/19

I pushed through, today I found out I passed and will be a doctor. I have achieved many great things such as running a business, academic research, securing an academic/specialised foundation post. I had to drop my passion projects for my personal health and happiness. 15/19

Did I reach my full potential at med school? No. Lack of access to adequate funding held me back. This experience was toxic for my mental & physical health. I did go & get a job (several), I utilised all loans available, I applied to every single eligible bursary & funds. 16/19

I don’t wish for others/future colleagues to go through this, therefore I support the campaign for a #LiveableNHS bursary. Future doctors are already burned out before they start work. We will continue to haemorrhage doctors from the NHS if we don’t sort out finances. 17/19

My medical school did their best, they supported me as much as they could, & I am grateful for that. Med school benefactors, charitable trusts should not be the one’s helping young doctors get through their training. This is a governmental funding issue. 18/19

I’m calling on anyone that can amplify this and get the change we need. @sigmalphabet @marinadpol @LiveableNHSBurs @dauk @zarahsultana @jeremycorbyn will you support the #LiveableNHSbursary? #medtwitteruk 19/19