Today was another informative and engaging day with two main presentations. The first session featured Sue and Shelly, who provided a detailed overview of Primary Care and General Practice in the UK. They were followed by Chief Nurse Nikki Brockie from the Royal Orthopedic Hospital, who shared her personal and professional journey in healthcare leadership.
During the first session, we learned that Primary Care in the UK refers to community-based healthcare services that people turn to first when seeking medical advice or treatment. This includes a range of professionals such as general practitioners, paramedics, physiotherapists, physician associates, pharmacy technicians, and medical receptionists. These individuals are often the first point of contact for patients, making their roles essential in the healthcare system. A major challenge highlighted in this session was the issue of long wait times within the NHS. Since the system prioritizes patients based on the severity of their condition, rather than a first-come, first-served approach, people with less urgent needs may have to wait a long time to receive care. For example, Shelly explained that someone calling for an ambulance might wait over two hours before one becomes available, and once they reach the hospital, they could face up to 12 hours of waiting before receiving further care. While the NHS offers free healthcare, this approach puts a heavy burden on both patients and healthcare providers, as demand consistently outweighs supply. Sue and Shelly helped us understand how these delays affect the overall system creating a constant cycle of back-to-back appointments and high pressure for staff. It really made me reflect on the balance between accessibility and efficiency in public healthcare.
After the session, we had a lunch break. I had a Hawaiian pizza, which was really good! One thing I appreciate about BCU is how affordable the food is—it makes meals easy and enjoyable between sessions.
After lunch, we spent some time reviewing and preparing for our upcoming group presentations, which compare healthcare and education systems in the US and UK. We’ll be presenting to BCU students and faculty this coming Monday. I’m feeling a bit nervous, especially about speaking in front of a large group, but I’m also excited. The topics are meaningful, and I think our group will do well.
Later in the day, we heard from Chief Nurse Nikki Brockie, who shared her inspiring path to leadership. She spoke about how her grandmother’s long-term illness and time in the hospital influenced her decision to pursue nursing. She also opened up about her experience with dyslexia and how she developed mental strategies and learning systems to succeed despite this challenge. Her resilience and commitment to her work were incredibly motivating and gave me a new appreciation for the personal stories behind healthcare professionals.
We ended the day with dinner at The Botanist, joined by some Birmingham City University students who had previously visited Pittsburgh. It was great reconnecting and sharing our experiences. The food was amazing, and I’m becoming more and more convinced that Birmingham is full of fantastic places to eat.
