Petition for Partially Sighted Doctor to be Allowed to Practise
Target:
Wessex Deanery
Sponsored by:
In brief:
Partially sighted doctor, Jemma Saville, has not been offered a training position as a doctor on the grounds of disability. If you believe this to be unjust and unfair, please sign. If you want more details, see below, or email.
In depth:
In 2002, Jemma Saville started medical school in Southampton. Like any other medical student, she was intelligent, enthusiastic and wanted to make a difference in health care.
During her second year of study her vision deteriorated and in 2005 she was registered partially sighted.
The medical school supported her through her visual loss, and despite some obstacles, she completed her finals and graduated as a doctor in 2008.
In 2008 she was informed that there was no position for her to go to and took some time out from the profession to make some decisions.
By November 2008 the decision was clear: that there was a reason for all that studying and determination to succeed, and it wasn't just for a piece of paper, or the letters "Dr." She gained GMC provisional registration in March 2009: the General Medical Council believe that she poses no danger to patients on the grounds of her visual impairment.
Despite this, she has not yet been offered a training post within a hospital.
This petition is about showing her support, and proving to the sceptics out there, that (with very obvious limits) people with disabilities can be fantastic doctors.
"I want to be a psychiatrist. I am great with people, kind, empathetic, understanding. I don't want to be a surgeon, or perform clinical procedures which I am not competent to do, and I certainly would never put any patients at risk. I know what I can and can't do, and this is key to any doctor being safe. I believe that even with a visual impairment I can be a very successful, inspirational doctor. I just need to be given the opportunity to prove this."
If you support Jemma, and other partially sighted doctors in the future, please add your name to the list below. And thank you so much for your support.
Partially sighted doctor, Jemma Saville, has not been offered a training position as a doctor on the grounds of disability. If you believe this to be unjust and unfair, please sign. If you want more details, see below, or email.
In depth:
In 2002, Jemma Saville started medical school in Southampton. Like any other medical student, she was intelligent, enthusiastic and wanted to make a difference in health care.
During her second year of study her vision deteriorated and in 2005 she was registered partially sighted.
The medical school supported her through her visual loss, and despite some obstacles, she completed her finals and graduated as a doctor in 2008.
In 2008 she was informed that there was no position for her to go to and took some time out from the profession to make some decisions.
By November 2008 the decision was clear: that there was a reason for all that studying and determination to succeed, and it wasn't just for a piece of paper, or the letters "Dr." She gained GMC provisional registration in March 2009: the General Medical Council believe that she poses no danger to patients on the grounds of her visual impairment.
Despite this, she has not yet been offered a training post within a hospital.
This petition is about showing her support, and proving to the sceptics out there, that (with very obvious limits) people with disabilities can be fantastic doctors.
"I want to be a psychiatrist. I am great with people, kind, empathetic, understanding. I don't want to be a surgeon, or perform clinical procedures which I am not competent to do, and I certainly would never put any patients at risk. I know what I can and can't do, and this is key to any doctor being safe. I believe that even with a visual impairment I can be a very successful, inspirational doctor. I just need to be given the opportunity to prove this."
If you support Jemma, and other partially sighted doctors in the future, please add your name to the list below. And thank you so much for your support.
In brief:
Partially sighted doctor, Jemma Saville, has not been offered a training position as a doctor on the grounds of disability. If you believe this to be unjust and unfair, please sign. If you want more details, see below, or email.
In depth:
In 2002, Jemma Saville started medical school in Southampton. Like any other medical student, she was intelligent, enthusiastic and wanted to make a difference in health care.
During her second year of study her vision deteriorated and in 2005 she was registered partially sighted.
The medical school supported her through her visual loss, and despite some obstacles, she completed her finals and graduated as a doctor in 2008.
In 2008 she was informed that there was no position for her to go to and took some time out from the profession to make some decisions.
By November 2008 the decision was clear: that there was a reason for all that studying and determination to succeed, and it wasn't just for a piece of paper, or the letters "Dr." She gained GMC provisional registration in March 2009: the General Medical Council believe that she poses no danger to patients on the grounds of her visual impairment.
Despite this, she has not yet been offered a training post within a hospital.
This petition is about showing her support, and proving to the sceptics out there, that (with very obvious limits) people with disabilities can be fantastic doctors.
"I want to be a psychiatrist. I am great with people, kind, empathetic, understanding. I don't want to be a surgeon, or perform clinical procedures which I am not competent to do, and I certainly would never put any patients at risk. I know what I can and can't do, and this is key to any doctor being safe. I believe that even with a visual impairment I can be a very successful, inspirational doctor. I just need to be given the opportunity to prove this."
If you support Jemma, and other partially sighted doctors in the future, please add your name to the list below. And thank you so much for your support.
Partially sighted doctor, Jemma Saville, has not been offered a training position as a doctor on the grounds of disability. If you believe this to be unjust and unfair, please sign. If you want more details, see below, or email.
In depth:
In 2002, Jemma Saville started medical school in Southampton. Like any other medical student, she was intelligent, enthusiastic and wanted to make a difference in health care.
During her second year of study her vision deteriorated and in 2005 she was registered partially sighted.
The medical school supported her through her visual loss, and despite some obstacles, she completed her finals and graduated as a doctor in 2008.
In 2008 she was informed that there was no position for her to go to and took some time out from the profession to make some decisions.
By November 2008 the decision was clear: that there was a reason for all that studying and determination to succeed, and it wasn't just for a piece of paper, or the letters "Dr." She gained GMC provisional registration in March 2009: the General Medical Council believe that she poses no danger to patients on the grounds of her visual impairment.
Despite this, she has not yet been offered a training post within a hospital.
This petition is about showing her support, and proving to the sceptics out there, that (with very obvious limits) people with disabilities can be fantastic doctors.
"I want to be a psychiatrist. I am great with people, kind, empathetic, understanding. I don't want to be a surgeon, or perform clinical procedures which I am not competent to do, and I certainly would never put any patients at risk. I know what I can and can't do, and this is key to any doctor being safe. I believe that even with a visual impairment I can be a very successful, inspirational doctor. I just need to be given the opportunity to prove this."
If you support Jemma, and other partially sighted doctors in the future, please add your name to the list below. And thank you so much for your support.
We the undersigned:
- Believe that Dr. Jemma Saville should not be refused a training programme on the grounds of her visual impairment.
- Believe that passing Finals examinations, gaining a BM qualification, and becoming GMC registered indicates that she is competent to practise.
- Feel that doctors with disabilities should not be discriminated against. There are blind and partially sighted doctors practising in the UK, and we do not believe that it is a justifiable reason for refusing anyone a training position.
- Would be happy to be treated by a doctor with a disability, provided that they were competent and working within the limits of their abilities, as we would expect any doctor to be.
We signed the "Petition for Partially Sighted Doctor to be Allowed to Practise" petition!
# 899:
1:00 pm PST, Jan 6,
Nicolette Green, United Kingdom
# 898:
12:44 pm PST, Jan 6,
Alice Davies, United Kingdom
# 897:
12:36 pm PST, Jan 6,
Linda Taylor, United Kingdom
# 896:
12:27 pm PST, Jan 6,
Cathryn Willis, United Kingdom
Jemma is obviously competent or she wouldn't have got this far. She should be allowed to progress.
Jemma is obviously competent or she wouldn't have got this far. She should be allowed to progress.
I would have no qualms about being treated by a doctor with a disability if they were working within their own personal limits and it shouldn't be hard to put safeguards in place to ensure this.
# 895:
2:09 am PST, Dec 21,
Katy Leung, Hong Kong
# 894:
11:09 am PST, Nov 15,
Serena Holcombe, United Kingdom
# 893:
11:24 am PST, Nov 5,
Amy Ruffle, United Kingdom
# 892:
8:33 pm PDT, Oct 16,
Andrea Eaves, West Virginia
I am legally blind myself. This is a huge problem. The discrimination for the blind is overlooked. I feel we have very limited acomidations and many stero types. I am in college now getting a degree in psychology. The question will anyone hire me is constant in my mind. People with vision problems have NO LIMITS! We have the same opportunities and the fact that we have to be creative to get around an obstacle here and there; well that just makes us smarter, creative, indipendent people. I believe in you.
I am legally blind myself. This is a huge problem. The discrimination for the blind is overlooked. I feel we have very limited acomidations and many stero types. I am in college now getting a degree in psychology. The question will anyone hire me is constant in my mind. People with vision problems have NO LIMITS! We have the same opportunities and the fact that we have to be creative to get around an obstacle here and there; well that just makes us smarter, creative, indipendent people. I believe in you.
# 891:
5:27 am PDT, Oct 8,
Alice Judd, United Kingdom
Yes. Particularly if it was someone as amazing as Jemma.
Yes. Particularly if it was someone as amazing as Jemma.
# 890:
8:01 pm PDT, Sep 18,
Kristen Potter, Missouri
# 889:
5:53 am PDT, Sep 18,
Rupa Patel, United Kingdom
I would certainly be happy.
I would certainly be happy.
# 888:
6:57 am PDT, Sep 15,
Nabil Yassine, United Kingdom
I need your help! I am desperately trying to get a training post as a junior doctor. All of my cohort have almost finished their FY1 and I haven't even started. Please, let me know what you feel about having a doctor with a disabilty treating you,
I need your help! I am desperately trying to get a training post as a junior doctor. All of my cohort have almost finished their FY1 and I haven't even started. Please, let me know what you feel about having a doctor with a disabilty treating you,
Would you be happy to be treated by a doctor who had a disability, provided they were working within their own personal limits?
# 887:
12:40 pm PDT, Sep 14,
Nicola Burton, United Kingdom
# 886:
4:19 am PDT, Sep 14,
Name not displayed, United Kingdom
# 885:
4:05 am PDT, Sep 12,
Amy Burden, United Kingdom
# 884:
4:23 pm PDT, Sep 11,
Sarah Kettle, United Kingdom
I would be happy to be treated by a partially sighted psychiatrist. You are a competent, able doctor and have proven this by gaining your qualification. I hope that someone will see past your disability and give you the chance to develop to the best of your potential and prove your aptitude.
I would be happy to be treated by a partially sighted psychiatrist. You are a competent, able doctor and have proven this by gaining your qualification. I hope that someone will see past your disability and give you the chance to develop to the best of your potential and prove your aptitude.
# 883:
2:37 pm PDT, Sep 7,
Holly Brunger, United Kingdom
I see no reason why partial sightedness should limit Jemma's career progression. She has successfully reached this far and is clearly determined to reach, and capable of reaching, her further goals.
I see no reason why partial sightedness should limit Jemma's career progression. She has successfully reached this far and is clearly determined to reach, and capable of reaching, her further goals.
Personally, I would welcome advice and treatment from a competent and personable doctor who has a disability.
# 882:
12:52 pm PDT, Sep 1,
Katherine Thomas, United Kingdom
I am a GP working with a hearing loss and would like to add my voice of support to Jemma. I believe that as long as the doctor is not working outside their competence nor putting any patient at any risk (nor themselves) - and in Jemma's case psychiatry may be a good choice, but she may need extra support in risk situations - then they should be supported if at all possible to achieve that aim. Don't waste her training, assist her with extra support if need be to finish it and give her a mentor to help her find the right niche for her to flourish and give back.
I am a GP working with a hearing loss and would like to add my voice of support to Jemma. I believe that as long as the doctor is not working outside their competence nor putting any patient at any risk (nor themselves) - and in Jemma's case psychiatry may be a good choice, but she may need extra support in risk situations - then they should be supported if at all possible to achieve that aim. Don't waste her training, assist her with extra support if need be to finish it and give her a mentor to help her find the right niche for her to flourish and give back.
yes, of course.
# 881:
6:15 am PDT, Sep 1,
Catriona Macdonald, United Kingdom
I personally have no problem with being treated by a doctor with a disability. I believe it would in no way lessen the level of care I received.
I personally have no problem with being treated by a doctor with a disability. I believe it would in no way lessen the level of care I received.
Everyone has their own personal limits, even those without a disability. Sometimes being disabled makes you more aware of these limits and therefore a greater understanding of how you can interact with those around you. I think all doctors should work within their own limits. Having a disability shouldn't affect this in any way.
# 880:
9:16 am PDT, Aug 31,
Nikesh Patel, United Kingdom
# 879:
2:56 am PDT, Aug 31,
Rhian Hinton, United Kingdom
# 878:
12:47 pm PDT, Aug 25,
Louise Joyce, United Kingdom
# 877:
1:02 pm PDT, Aug 18,
Sara Pervaiz, United Kingdom
# 876:
5:44 am PDT, Aug 17,
Claire Kimber, United Kingdom
# 875:
3:45 pm PDT, Aug 16,
Munirah Abu Bakar, Singapore
# 874:
7:49 am PDT, Aug 15,
Name not displayed, United Kingdom
# 873:
9:48 am PDT, Aug 14,
Sue Kelly, United Kingdom
# 872:
9:21 am PDT, Aug 14,
Joyce Meikle, United Kingdom
# 871:
2:52 pm PDT, Aug 11,
Polly Boon, United Kingdom
# 870:
1:47 pm PDT, Aug 11,
Queenie Man, United Kingdom
you're doing exactly what i want to do!! but i don't have as much ablilty as you do. keep fighting! best wishes.
you're doing exactly what i want to do!! but i don't have as much ablilty as you do. keep fighting! best wishes.
# 869:
7:18 am PDT, Aug 11,
Lesley Green, United Kingdom
# 868:
12:18 am PDT, Aug 10,
Evelyn Archenhold, United Kingdom
I would be quite happy to be treated by a doctor with a disability provided they were working in their area of expertise and knowledge.
I would be quite happy to be treated by a doctor with a disability provided they were working in their area of expertise and knowledge.
Yes
# 867:
6:38 pm PDT, Aug 9,
Lauren Evans, United Kingdom
# 866:
5:40 am PDT, Aug 9,
Deepak Komath, United Kingdom
# 865:
12:39 am PDT, Aug 8,
Name not displayed, United Kingdom
# 864:
2:43 am PDT, Aug 7,
Loren Parry, United Kingdom
# 863:
2:46 pm PDT, Aug 6,
Chloe Hayes, United Kingdom
# 862:
4:35 pm PDT, Aug 4,
Louise Sanderson, United Kingdom
I'm sure you will be a fantastic psychiatrist and well done for perservering!
I'm sure you will be a fantastic psychiatrist and well done for perservering!
Absolutely
# 861:
10:20 am PDT, Aug 4,
Rebecca Isaac, United Kingdom
I believe that Jemma's visual impairment would not hinder her ability to be a good doctor. I feel that she should be given an opportunity to demonstrate her skills and to prove that she can be successful in her chosen field of psychiatry.
I believe that Jemma's visual impairment would not hinder her ability to be a good doctor. I feel that she should be given an opportunity to demonstrate her skills and to prove that she can be successful in her chosen field of psychiatry.
I would be happy to be treated by a doctor with a disability working within their own limits.
# 860:
6:40 am PDT, Aug 3,
Thea Gimenez, United Kingdom
I wish you all the best and would have no problem seeing or referring a patient to a psychiatrist who is partially sighted, although in my referral I would take into account your potential vulnerability with regards to patients with a history of violence.
I wish you all the best and would have no problem seeing or referring a patient to a psychiatrist who is partially sighted, although in my referral I would take into account your potential vulnerability with regards to patients with a history of violence.
Yes
# 859:
3:53 am PDT, Aug 2,
Will Kenny-Levick, United Kingdom
Absolutely no problems. she may make a much better psychiatrist than many others with perfect vision
Absolutely no problems. she may make a much better psychiatrist than many others with perfect vision
# 858:
10:41 am PDT, Aug 1,
Name not displayed, United Kingdom
i dont see any problem with that.provided the doctor knows her or his limits
i dont see any problem with that.provided the doctor knows her or his limits
yes
# 857:
10:44 am PDT, Jul 31,
Baldeep Sidhu, United Kingdom
# 856:
11:21 pm PDT, Jul 30,
William Da Costa, United Kingdom
# 855:
12:01 pm PDT, Jul 30,
Kudakwashe Mangwende, United Kingdom
# 854:
11:17 am PDT, Jul 30,
Lin Foo, United Kingdom
# 853:
10:10 am PDT, Jul 30,
Kirsty Lanyon, United Kingdom
# 852:
3:58 am PDT, Jul 30,
Name not displayed, United Kingdom
They should give Jemma a job!
They should give Jemma a job!
Absolutely!!
# 851:
11:47 pm PDT, Jul 29,
Heather Gately, Massachusetts
I must admit that I would be reluctant to have a surgeon or other physical practitioner work on me with partial sight, but a psychiatrist or psychotherapist doesn't bother me at all. I hope you get through this and further your career!
I must admit that I would be reluctant to have a surgeon or other physical practitioner work on me with partial sight, but a psychiatrist or psychotherapist doesn't bother me at all. I hope you get through this and further your career!
