A mother and daughter’s shared journey through the NHS
Inspirations
Rhona, what inspired you to become a nurse?
Nursing always felt like a natural calling to me. My cousin, who was also a nurse, played a big part in inspiring me. I looked up to her and wanted to be like her—someone who made a real difference in people’s lives during their most vulnerable moments.
Frances, what inspired you to become a resident doctor – was your mum’s career part of that journey?
I’ve always enjoyed both science and art, and I was looking for a career that would offer a wide range of opportunities and the flexibility to shape my future however I might choose. Medicine seemed to tick all those boxes.
Over time, I found myself drawn to the practical aspects of the profession. I enjoy working with my hands, which has fuelled my current interest in surgery. What’s kept me engaged is the incredible variety the field offers — from solving ethical and scientific challenges to the privilege of working with patients from all walks of life.
While my mum’s career didn’t directly lead me to medicine, she taught me the strong work ethic the field requires, and seeing how hard she works gave me a clear idea of both the challenges and rewards of a healthcare career.
Rhona
"We challenge and inspire each other. Frances has also shown me the importance of having younger generations and new energy working for the NHS – they are the healthcare of the future."
What does it mean to you both to work for the same NHS Trust?
Rhona: It’s honestly quite special. We understand the pressures and demands of each other’s roles in a way that not everyone else can. Sometimes it’s sharing lunch, other times just a quick hello or a knowing smile in the corridor—but those small moments are grounding and meaningful.
Frances reminds me to stay curious and open-minded. We challenge and inspire each other. Frances has also shown me the importance of having younger generations and new energy working for the NHS – they are the healthcare of the future.
Day to day work
Rhona, what do you find most rewarding about your roles as matron and theatre manager?
It’s the people—both patients and staff. I love seeing my team grow, overcome challenges, and deliver excellent care. Supporting staff wellbeing while ensuring the best outcomes for our patients gives me a real sense of achievement.
I also love that there’s no typical day in my role. I might start by checking in with the theatre teams, reviewing staffing, and troubleshooting any clinical or operational issues. Meetings, mentoring, service planning, and sometimes just being a listening ear makes up my day too!
Frances, what has your experience as a resident doctor been like so far?
There’s something new to learn every single day, and that’s both exhilarating and exhausting. There have been tough days where I’ve questioned my career choice, but more where I can’t imagine doing anything else.
One of the most encouraging parts of the journey has been the incredible support from colleagues. The camaraderie and sense of shared purpose, and the new friends I’ve made, make a huge difference. There’s still so much for me to learn, but I’m embracing the fact that each day brings something new.
Currently, I’m based on the major trauma ward at St Mary’s Hospital. We start the day at 8am with a doctor’s handover, ideally tackling any urgent tasks or patient cases before our morning multidisciplinary team meeting at 9am. After that, we break off to ward rounds — and I’ve had the opportunity to work with both neurosurgical and trauma teams during this rotation.
The rest of the day is usually spent caring for patients on the ward, following up investigations, communicating with the wider multidisciplinary team, and then teaching. Occasionally, I’ve had the chance to scrub in for theatre too, which is always exciting!
I’ve learnt so much from our patients too — especially seeing the tenacity of some who recover from some of the most unfortunate days in their lives.
Frances"I’ve learnt so much from our patients too — especially seeing the tenacity of some who recover from some of the most unfortunate days in their lives."
Personal reflections
Rhona, what were some of the biggest challenges you faced when you arrived in the UK and started working for the NHS?
I came to the UK over 24 years ago with a dream to grow both personally and professionally. I wanted to experience nursing in a new environment, broaden my skills, and provide better opportunities for my family.
Adjusting to a new system and understanding the English language and even the British weather was tough at first. But the biggest challenge was being far from home and missing the sense of familiarity.
However, I feel like I have thrived at the Trust, and I now use my voice to advocate for more representation of Black, Asian and minority ethnic colleagues in NHS leadership roles like mine. Leadership must reflect the people it serves and the staff it supports – and representation brings varied perspectives, builds trust, and creates space for others to thrive.
I recently completed the Trust’s ‘Go Further’ leadership development programme, which helped me refine my strategic thinking, navigate system-level challenges, and strengthen my inclusive leadership skills. It’s been empowering so far.
I also took part in the Open Britain X Imperial College Healthcare photography collaboration to share my story as a migrant working in the NHS. I wanted to be visible—not just for myself but for others who may be doubting if they belong. Taking part was about celebrating diversity and showing the faces behind the care we give.
Frances, what are your hopes for your future career in medicine?
In the short term, I hope to apply for core surgical training. Ultimately, I’d love to become a surgeon. Longer term, I’d like to find a way to integrate my creativity into my career — perhaps carving out time to work on my art, writing or developing some of the creative ideas I’ve been collecting. I think there’s room for both passions in my life!
Frances"Leadership must reflect the people it serves and the staff it supports – and representation brings varied perspectives, builds trust, and creates space for others to thrive."
Something a bit fun!
Finally, what would you bring to a potluck lunch?
Rhona: My go to contribution for potluck lunches is a fresh, colourful salad. I happily leave the Filipino dishes to the expert cooks in my team who do it best!
Frances: Fresh Vietnamese spring rolls (which I’d likely eat all by myself!) and monkey bread.
