Dr Elizabeth Reilly – PGCert Healthcare Management, Leadership and Innovation

Coming back into education at the University of Plymouth again has really helped me to confirm my intention to pursue a PhD.

The skills gained carrying out literature searches, supported by the University’s library team, through this course have really helped me to prepare for the Systematic Literature Review I am due to carry out as part of my PhD.

Studying this course has also given me greater confidence to take on more managerial roles as part of my Consultant Rheumatologist post in the future. My time studying at the University came initially through the Severn Deanery Professional and Generic Skills programme.

University of Plymouth will allow me to manage the team more effectively, and with greater knowledge of the wider hospital management teams and systems supporting our clinical practice.

Since completing my studies, I have continued to undertake clinical work as a doctor in the department of Rheumatology, in the final stage of my specialist training in Bath.

I have also just started a PhD with the Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology at the University of Bath, in the area of spondyloarthritis, a type of arthritis predominantly affecting the spine.

“Plymouth prepared me for the challenges that I faced”

Often clinicians will be asked to take up positions such as Clinical Director for a period of time, which comes with a great deal of managerial responsibility and is quite a departure from the clinical work.

The principles taught on this course are essential in being able to effectively carry out roles such as this.

If I were able to commit the time, I would have taken this course on to Postgraduate Diploma and even MSc level. Having just started my PhD, this was not feasible, but I would have liked to have started this PGCert earlier in my career to enable me to carry on this programme to a higher level.

“Having worked at Derriford Hospital and Torbay Hospitals previously as a junior doctor, as well as having family in the South West, it has been lovely to come back to the area again.

The University is a growing, exciting place to study. The courses offered are relevant to prepare you for the challenges in the workplace these days, and the programme is structured in a modern and refreshing way. And the seaside helps..!”

“I spent nearly four months working in rural Ethiopia, mainly in a hospital in the south of the country, not far from the Kenyan border, but also in a community health clinic.

In the clinic, keeping the equipment working to provide a diagnostic service was a constant battle as the electricity was so intermittent, and treatment costs prohibited many people from being able to access essential medications. It really did give a new perspective on how lucky we are in the UK.”

Follow in Dr Reilly’s footsteps at Plymouth

Enhance your skills in the areas of management, leadership and innovation – required by a wide range of healthcare professionals and health service managers.

MSc Healthcare Management, Leadership and Innovation is designed to be a highly flexible entry into management within the health and care service, whether your interests lie in leadership, quality improvement, innovation methodology, organisation development, patient safety or education.

Visit the MSc Healthcare Management, Leadership course page