Charities
Physicians-in-training are very much encouraged to help in vocational/charity work, in addition to their duties as a doctor, as part of the ‘Big Society'. This MRCP guide should like to emphasise that you should try to find opportunities to do such work, as it is so worthwhile in itself, and completely non-altruistically might give you something to talk about in the job interview. It is not formally assessed as such in the MRCP(UK) exam, or contained within the specifications of the Core Medical Training or Foundation Programme.
British Heart Foundation
"Our vision is of a world in which people do not die prematurely of heart disease. We'll achieve this through pioneering research, vital prevention activity and ensuring quality care and support for everyone living with heart disease."
British Lung Foundation. The British Lung Foundation is the only UK charity working for everyone affected by lung disease. We focus our resources on providing support for people affected by lung disease today; and work in a variety of ways, including funding world-class research, to bring about positive change, to improve treatment, care and support for people affected by lung disease now and in the future."
Asthma UK
"Asthma UK is the charity dedicated to improving the health and well-being of the 5.4 million people in the UK whose lives are affected by asthma. We work together with people with asthma, health professionals and researchers to develop and share expertise to help people increase their understanding and reduce the effect of asthma on their lives."
Multiple Sclerosis society
"The MS Society is the UK's largest charity for people affected by multiple sclerosis (MS) - about 100,000 people in the UK. Across the UK information and support is available to anyone affected by MS from our network of over 300 local branches."
Alzheimer's Society
"Alzheimer's Society is a membership organisation, which works to improve the quality of life of people affected by dementia in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Many of our 25,000 members have personal experience of dementia, as carers, health professionals or people with dementia themselves, and their experiences help to inform our work."
The Stroke Association
"Stroke has a greater disability impact than any other medical condition. A quarter of a million people are living with long-term disability as a result of stroke in the UK. The Stroke Association is the only UK-wide charity solely concerned with combating stroke in people of all ages."