Three more consultants at the Medical Specialist Group have committed to the long-term development of healthcare in the island by joining the partnership this month.
All three have worked as associate consultants at the MSG for the past couple of years – Dr Kate Allen as consultant physician specialising in diabetes and endocrinology, Dr Michelle Le Cheminant as consultant anaesthetist, and Dr Tom Saunders as consultant geriatrician.
Welcoming them to the partnership, MSG chair Dr Gary Yarwood said: “Becoming a partner is rather like the difference between living with someone for five years and deciding to get married. It is a big commitment, taking on liabilities and risk as well as reward and a greater ability to influence. The partnership model is something that has really helped Guernsey. People do feel more invested, and they do go the extra mile.
“In Kate, Michelle and Tom I’m delighted to say that we have three excellent doctors who are committed to the long-term development of healthcare in the island.”
Dr Tom Saunders agrees: “I’ve found here that the more you put into healthcare and the community the more you get back. Patients are very knowledgeable and empowered and they appreciate the time we can spend with them and the continuity of care we can give.
“As a partner I’m keen to further develop community services, supporting people to remain in their own homes for longer and working with the reablement team to promote safe and appropriate earlier discharge from hospital.”
Locally born consultant anaesthetist Dr Michelle Le Cheminant says, “I came back to Guernsey because it’s my home. My decision to specialise in anaesthesia goes right back to sixth form when I did my work experience here with Gary (Yarwood).
“Now I’m a partner, I feel fully integrated into the MSG, and am looking forward to having even more involvement in developing services to benefit patients.”
Dr Kate Allen adds, “Like Michelle I was born and grew up here, and this is my chance to give my children the same kind of upbringing.
“When I started it was clear that Guernsey was already ahead of the NHS in terms of adoption of diabetes technology, which is rapidly advancing especially for people with type 1 diabetes. Now as a partner, my commitment to the island’s diabetic population is to build on these great foundations and to develop the diabetes service for the long term.”
The doctors agree that Guernsey’s consultant-provided system allows them to deliver better healthcare.
Dr Saunders says, “Being a partner is harder work because of the commitment you’ve made. But I’ve found here that I have time to spend with my patients than I did in the NHS – I’m a doctor again!”
Dr Allen agrees: “If something not going well for a patient it’s your job to sort it out and you have the ability and the time to do it. Just last week one of the anaesthetists had a problem pre-operatively with a patient who I look after. They phoned me and we were able to sort it out immediately – there were no layers of communication in the way.”
There are now 38 consultants in the MSG partnership and a further 16 consultants working as associates or locums.
The main picture shows (left to right) Dr Kate Allen, Dr Gary Yarwood, Dr Michelle le Cheminant and Dr Tom Saunders.
