Welcome to Singapore! Where were you living before moving to the Little Red Dot?
We were living in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, just an hour from London but surrounded by beautiful countryside. I must say it is great to embrace city life again and Singapore certainly has a lot to offer.
What will you miss most about UK and what excites you most about living in Singapore?
Mostly I will miss my family and friends, although many have already booked flights to visit us. I spent 10 happy years in London training to be a GP and will miss wandering the streets, being part of the bustling city and discovering new places. Singapore has a rich diversity of cultures and with that comes a range of food! I’m very excited about exploring both, plus meeting new friends and taking the opportunity to travel in the area.
You have a huge amount of experience in women’s health and contraception. What drew you to this area?
As a GP trainee I worked in obstetrics and gynaecology and then a sexual health clinic. Following this I completed further training in family planning and became the lead GP for contraception service provision in my West Kensington surgery in London.
The range of problems seen in women’s health is vast, starting from puberty to the menopause and beyond. I love giving women choice, empowering them to make decisions about their treatment, as everyone’s needs and lifestyle are different. Which contraception or HRT to choose depends on many individual factors. There is also an element of satisfaction in being able to make a difference to people’s lives. Managing someone’s heavy periods or treating troublesome menopausal symptoms can have a significant impact on their quality of life.
Have you lived as an ‘expatriate’ before?
I had a wonderful experience working in an obstetrics and gynaecology Department in New Zealand. I also became a “trailing spouse” for a while when my husband’s work moved to Istanbul and I spent my maternity year navigating the colourful and diverse city with two small children in tow.
You are discovering Singapore with your family. Favourite ‘family activity’ so far here?
Not long after arriving we visited Adventure Cove on Sentosa and the annual pass seemed a good idea. Let’s just say we are getting our moneys worth already. Everyone loves a lazy river!
Why did you decide to become a Doctor?
I was always torn between the arts and science, but medicine manages to combine the two subjects. I am fascinated by the human body but I am equally interested in human behaviour and the impact of illness on individuals. Patients bring a range of emotions into the consultation room and by acknowledging these anxieties or fears, we are better able to treat the person as a whole. As a GP, often the small things we do can have a significant impact on a patients wellbeing.
Singapore is a great point to travel from. Where are you most looking forward to discover in the region?
My daughter has been learning about Japan at school and likes to tell me little facts about the country. I would love to travel there with her one day and discover the country together.
What are you most looking forward to about starting working at IMC Katong?
I am looking forward to being part of the IMC community, working alongside like minded colleagues to provide holistic care to my patients.
