Careers

Dr Penny Weston

Dr Penny Weston

Penny is currently the Chief Resident at Starship Hospital. Originally from the UK, Penny explains what it a like to train as a Paediatrician in Auckland...

I'm currently the Chief Resident for Paediatrics at Starship hospital. I had originally commenced my paediatric training in the UK, where I'm originally from, and have moved to New Zealand and continued with my training here.

As with most people, I wasn't sure what I wanted to do after medical school. It was during the emergency run in my senior house officer year that I realised I wanted to do paediatrics.

I find working with children and their families both challenging and enjoyable.  It has the potential for great joy but also for great sadness. 

My typical day would start with an 8am handover from the night team.  Then we do the ward rounds and work for the day.  As a registrar we get to do clinics with the team we are working with.  Teaching includes both Starship wide teaching such as Paediatric Update and Grand Round and specialty specific sessions.  For those doing the paediatric FRACP exams there is a specific course for this.

Trainees normally start by doing some paediatric jobs as a senior house officer.  We normally recommend that they get a year of paediatric experience before applying to become a registrar.  During this time they are encouraged to do the Diploma of Paediatrics.  Once they have been accepted as a registrar they will start to look at doing the paediatric FRACP exams which are normally done during their third year at the earliest.  Basic training takes a minimum of three years  (this time can include both time spent as an SHO and registrar).  Once you have passed the FRACP exams and the training requirements you proceed onto advanced training.  You may have had exposure to subspecialties as a basic trainee but this is where you start to think seriously about the area you would like to work in.

The biggest difference between working in Auckland as opposed to other towns/cities in New Zealand is that Starship  is the only hospital in New Zealand to have all of the subspecialties.  Children from other parts of New Zealand referred to these teams are either seen in outreach clinics locally or have to make the trip to Auckland.  You can see that this has a big impact on some families that have to spend a long time in Starship.

On the social front, there is a Christmas function every year and we also have a catch up every few weeks to go out for drinks.