For this month’s Lulu Loves we spoke to psychiatric consultant Dr Rebecca Loke - one of our NHS heroes, nominated for our kindness campaign by her sister Gem. We talk to her about work in the time of Coronavirus, her off-duty style and impromptu tea parties in the garden!
WHERE DO YOU WORK?
"I completed my training in psychiatry (specialising in old age) last year and am currently working as a locum consultant in the West Midlands, with a terrific team of doctors and nurses."
WHERE DO YOU WORK?
"I completed my training in psychiatry (specialising in old age) last year and am currently working as a locum consultant in the West Midlands, with a terrific team of doctors and nurses."
WHAT DID YOUR DAY LOOK LIKE BEFORE CORONAVIRUS AND WHAT DOES IT INVOLVE NOW?
"My day would start with the school run for my kids (aged 3 and 5 years) - my husband is also a doctor, and we try to share drop offs/pick ups - before driving to work. Mornings would then be spent in ward rounds or out-patient clinics. In the afternoon, we do home visits, catch up on admin, and deal with any urgent referrals; you never quite know what the day will hold.
Now, we have just ended a period of self isolation due to my husband having a fever, so I’ve been trying to do telephone reviews with patients from home. The restrictions due to covid-19 have compounded the social isolation a lot of our patients live with. Due to the pressures in the acute hospital, my husband has started working long shifts, so I have also been trying to entertain the kids a lot in the evenings/weekends."
"My day would start with the school run for my kids (aged 3 and 5 years) - my husband is also a doctor, and we try to share drop offs/pick ups - before driving to work. Mornings would then be spent in ward rounds or out-patient clinics. In the afternoon, we do home visits, catch up on admin, and deal with any urgent referrals; you never quite know what the day will hold.
Now, we have just ended a period of self isolation due to my husband having a fever, so I’ve been trying to do telephone reviews with patients from home. The restrictions due to covid-19 have compounded the social isolation a lot of our patients live with. Due to the pressures in the acute hospital, my husband has started working long shifts, so I have also been trying to entertain the kids a lot in the evenings/weekends."
ARE YOU MANAGING TO HAVE SOME DOWN TIME AT THE MOMENT AND IF SO WHAT DO YOU DO TO CHILL OUT?
"Little children, whilst demanding, are a great distraction, as they intuitively live in the moment. We have had a lot of fun making dens and having tea parties in the garden. I’ve also been returning to my favourite books, have started a zoom poetry club with my mum, and enjoyed a drink over the garden fence with my neighbour!"
"Little children, whilst demanding, are a great distraction, as they intuitively live in the moment. We have had a lot of fun making dens and having tea parties in the garden. I’ve also been returning to my favourite books, have started a zoom poetry club with my mum, and enjoyed a drink over the garden fence with my neighbour!"
WHAT KIND OF KID WERE YOU? IS BEING A DR WHAT YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO DO?
"As an avid reader and fan of gymnastics, I was usually to be found with my nose in a book or hanging upside down. Becoming a doctor wasn’t really a childhood dream, but psychiatry is quite a good fit, as I was always interested in human biology and the human mind, and am quite reflective by nature. It can be a stressful job at times, especially given the underfunding of mental health services, but you always feel you are doing something worthwhile."
WHAT PART DOES FASHION PLAY IN YOUR LIFE?
"I have to look smart at work, and dress in a way that won’t cause offence to people from a diversity of cultural backgrounds, so I like classic shift dresses. I try to avoid high heels - a symbol of the patriarchy in my mind!"
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE THINGS TO WEAR 'OFF-DUTY'?
"My weekend style includes several pairs of jeans and a Breton striped top. With small children, I need to be comfortable and ready to get very messy!"
BEST ADVICE YOU'VE BEEN GIVEN?
"My gran always used to say to me that I could “only ever do my best”. I’ve tried to internalise her voice."
LOOKING AHEAD TO BETTER DAYS, WHAT DOES A PERFECT DAY OFF LOOK LIKE FOR YOU?
"A perfect day would be a family day at my parents’ house - a walk in the Derbyshire countryside and sitting in the garden with a cool gin and tonic (I might even get to read my book for a bit). In the evening, a meal with my sister, sharing food and life and switching off from work and children. At the moment, I would make do with seeing my mum, though!"
CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT AN UNFORGETTABLE MEAL/PLAY BOOK/FILM YOU'VE EXPERIENCED RECENTLY(ISH) AND SIMPLY HAVE TO SHARE...
"I have just finished ‘The Color Purple’ by Alice Walker, which (to my shame) I had not read before. It was such a wonderful portrayal of female solidarity, loyalty and friendship in the midst of racial, domestic and sexual abuse. I am also currently obsessed with the ‘Fortunately’ podcast with Jane Garvey (of Woman's Hour) and Fi Glover."
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT THE LULU BAG WE SENT YOU?
"The sailor blue Dylan you sent me is the perfect bag for professional or weekend style. I love the timeless blue, but the playful scarf adds a twist of colour to see me through any occasion."
What's new?
From bags to treasure forever to our playful trainers and accessories, there's always a new piece of Lulu to love.
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