An email all medical students received today:

IMPORTANT - Changes to infection control measures

Dear Student,

You are reminded that student dress must comply with infection control guidance appropriate to the clinical setting you are working in. Please note that from Feb 2008 in order to ensure infection control many Hospital Trusts will insist that all medical students and other healthcare workers are bare from the elbow down which also precludes wearing items such hand or wrist jewellery, wrist watches or false nails. The traditional doctors' white coat and ties will not be allowed. The spread of antibiotic resistant infections is a serious issue for the NHS and the welfare of patients, so please ensure you follow the instructions given to you on your attachments regarding appropriate dress.

Regards

Assistant Registrar (Clinical Medicine)

Registry

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Why do I get the feeling I'll be asked my role more often by patients now that I'll look like a school boy......

I can only tolerate feeling like I'm worth less than crap for so long before I rebuild all my walls, this time far stronger than they were previously. Maybe I'll make sure no one ever breaks in ever again....

It'd be so much easier if I never existed... I won't have to feel anything...

...

This moment is the very moment where I feel the most alone and the most unwanted.