Dr Dean Eggitt

06/08/2025

ℹ️ Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) for Weight Loss: What You Need to Know

There’s been a surge of interest in Mounjaro, a new medication being used to support weight loss. Understandably, many people are asking when and how it will become available through their GP.

Here’s the current situation:

🚧 Access is extremely limited right now.
We’re in Phase One of a national rollout, which means GPs are not yet contracted or authorised to prescribe Mounjaro for weight management.

🏥 Prescriptions are currently only being issued by specialist NHS weight management services – and only for those meeting strict eligibility criteria:

A BMI of 40 or above
AND

At least four weight-related health conditions (e.g. type 2 diabetes, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnoea).

🕒 This is a temporary situation. As the rollout expands and commissioning arrangements evolve, GPs will likely play a greater role in supporting access to this treatment. Change is on the horizon.

Please be patient – help is on the way, and I’ll continue to share updates as things progress.

01/08/2025

My 10 top tips for new doctors...

1. Know your limits. Ask early and often.
You're not expected to know everything. Asking for help is a sign of safety and professionalism, not weakness. Never sit on a concern.

2. Get familiar with your Trust’s systems.
Learn the local IT systems (e.g., prescribing, results, discharge summaries). It’ll save you hours later. Write down helpful shortcuts and bleep numbers.

3. Introduce yourself to everyone.
Ward clerks, nurses, porters, pharmacists. These people will save your skin regularly. Build respectful relationships from day 1.

4. Keep a pocket book or notes app.
Start a mini survival guide: useful numbers, protocols, how to request scans, what to write on a death certificate, etc. You'll thank yourself daily.

5. Prioritisation > Perfection.
Focus on what’s urgent and unsafe first. Perfection is a luxury. Safe, timely care is the goal. You’ll get faster with practice.

6. Always document clearly.
If you didn't write it, it didn’t happen. Document decisions, discussions, and your reasoning. It protects your patients and you.

7. Eat, drink, p*e, and be merry.
You cannot pour from an empty cup. Your basic needs matter. Carry snacks and a refillable water bottle. Schedule breaks when you can.

8. You are not alone.
F1 is a team sport. Share your workload, back each other up, and vent together. Emotional support from p*ers is vital.

9. Embrace the learning curve.
Mistakes will happen. Reflect, learn, move on. Be kind to yourself. Growth comes from experience and time, not perfection.

10. Remember why you’re here.
Amid the stress, take moments to connect with patients. Those human interactions are why you chose this career. Don’t let the system turn you to stone.

14/07/2025

Measles is back and it’s serious.

England is facing the highest number of measles cases in over a decade, with more than 2,900 confirmed cases in 2024.

This is not a coincidence.

MMR vaccination rates have fallen, with second dose coverage as low as 73% in some areas of London , and similarly low rates in parts of Birmingham and Liverpool.

Communities experiencing deprivation, poor access to healthcare, or distrust in medical systems are most affected and most at risk.

Measles is not a harmless childhood illness. It can cause pneumonia, brain damage, and death especially in children, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals. Death rates vary across the world and can be as high as 1 in 100 cases.

Getting vaccinated isn't just about protecting yourself it's also about protecting the most vulnerable in our society. Those who can't be vaccinated depend on herd immunity to stay safe.

Get a vaccine to save your life and to save vulnerable others.

Whether you're a parent, a community leader, or someone who missed their own jabs, now is the time to act. It's never too late.

Stop the spread. Rebuild trust. Protect each other.

01/07/2025

28/01/2025

15/01/2025

I recently came across a job advertisement for a nurse to provide "corridor care." It gave me pause. While I understand the immense pressure the NHS is under and the incredible dedication of healthcare workers striving to deliver care in impossible circumstances, I cannot accept the normalisation of corridor care as part of our healthcare system.

Corridor care is not safe, nor is it dignified. Patients deserve proper environments for their treatment, and nurses and other healthcare professionals deserve conditions that allow them to deliver the high-quality care they are trained for. Normalising practices like these creates a dangerous precedent — it sets the bar too low and perpetuates a culture of tolerating substandard care.

I believe this reflects something larger: after enduring years of crises, dedicated NHS staff are now facing conditions that have, over time, become part of the everyday reality. The extraordinary has become ordinary. And that is a tragedy.

We must be careful not to accept or excuse this as "just the way it is." Tolerating low standards, even with the best intentions, risks embedding them into our system — resulting in further institutionalised poor care.

https://news.sky.com/story/north-london-hospital-advertises-for-corridor-nurse-amid-nhs-winter-crisis-13287638
It doesn’t have to be this way. Together, we must work to hold ourselves and our systems accountable to the standards that patients and professionals deserve. Healthcare professionals should never have to choose between meeting targets and providing safe, compassionate care.

The solution won’t be easy, but the first step is recognising that we can and should expect better.

Let’s advocate for investment, systemic reform, and proper support for healthcare workers so they can do what they do best — deliver the highest standard of care. High-quality care should always be the goal. Let’s challenge the acceptance of anything less.

The NHS has been under increased pressure this winter from a "quad-demic" of flu, COVID, norovirus, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

10/01/2025

Given the immense pressures facing health services today, I want to take this moment to remind young people that pursuing a career in medicine is an act of remarkable courage.

Medicine is not a profession for the faint-hearted. It’s a lifelong challenge that will test your endurance, resilience, and commitment in ways you might not yet imagine. This path is not about life’s comforts or collecting distinctions—it’s about answering a deeper calling.

The journey is hard. There will be sleepless nights, endless learning, and moments where you feel broken. The pressure will be relentless, and the stakes will always be high. Yet, for those who choose this road, it is a privilege unlike any other. To hold someone’s life in your hands, to bring healing where there was suffering, and to stand as a beacon of hope in moments of despair—that is what it means to be in medicine.

This is not a decision to make lightly. Medicine demands all of you: your time, your energy, and your heart. But if you feel the fire of purpose within you, if you are ready to rise to the challenge and embrace the sacrifices it requires, then medicine will give you something extraordinary in return—a life of profound meaning and impact.

So, step forward if you dare. Choose medicine, not because it’s easy or glamorous, but because it’s worth it. Because you’re ready to be the best.

13/12/2024

Let’s Show Kindness to Our NHS Professionals

The NHS is currently facing unprecedented challenges with a "quad-demic" causing immense demand on healthcare services. Our incredible staff are working tirelessly to care for patients, often under overwhelming pressure.

However, we’ve seen an unfortunate rise in rude and impatient behaviour toward NHS professionals. Some staff members have been brought to tears due to aggressive interactions. It’s a reminder that these healthcare heroes are human too—they get ill, they feel the stress, and they’re doing their very best to support us all.

Now, more than ever, kindness matters. A little patience and understanding can go a long way in creating a positive environment for everyone. By treating NHS professionals with respect, we can support them as they continue to support us through these challenging times.

Let’s all commit to fostering compassion and respect in our interactions. Together, we can make a difference.

06/08/2024

Dear Patients,

In these challenging times, we find ourselves navigating through significant societal unrest, including issues of racism and disparities in access to healthcare. Our team is committed to providing the best possible care for every patient, regardless of their background.

We kindly ask for your understanding, patience, and kindness towards all our staff members. They are working tirelessly to ensure you receive the care you need, often under very difficult circumstances.

Let's stand together, support one another, and continue to foster a community of respect and compassion.

Thank you for your cooperation and trust.

17/07/2024

Check out this Document (A4) designed by Haylie.