Dr Simon Howard
Hi! I'm Simon, a 27 year-old public health registrar.
I passed my MBBS at Newcastle University in 2008, and spent two years practicing clinical medicine. In 2010, I specialised in public health. I passed an MSc in public health and health services research with distinction last year, and I'm now working with NHS Tees.
I live in Newcastle upon Tyne, with Wendy, my girlfriend. In my spare time, I write, tweet, drink tea, and report for The Pod Delusion. I'm an active member of an unfeasible number of organisations, including the BHA, RSPH, RSM, RI, and Mensa, and I sit on advisory boards for the BMA and MHRA.
I used to write lots of political commentary - I even wrote a book - but rarely have enough free time to do that these days, so just blog occasionally. I'm active on social networks (see below), and have put some of my academic work online.
If you want to ask anything or just chat - email me below.
My blog- My twitter feed
- My Pod Delusion reports
- My favourite YouTube videos
- My Goodreads reviews
- My Facebook media
- My LinkedIn profile
- Some academic work
- Email me
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Posts
- May 17, 12
This is a bit of the 2.9km A19 Tees Viaduct. It was built to cross the Tees at an appropriate height for big ships to pass beneath, yet since the port at Stockton was virtually disused at the time the viaduct was built, that specification probably wasn’t necessary. Only 15 years after it opened, the nearby Tees Newport Bridge was fixed in its lowered position, blocking any river traffic anyway.
Most days, mine is one of the almost 90,000 cars that use this 37 year old structure. It’s the largest bridge of its type in the UK, but is prone to frequent congestion at peak times as it’s operating at a capacity way that for which it was designed.
Mini-steps like ramp metering and CCTV monitoring have been taken to try and deal with the congestion, but with more and more vehicles using the viaduct each year, it seems likely that something more drastic will have to be done before too long.
- May 17, 12
BBC One should reflect the whole of the UK in its output.
That’s a key part of BBC One’s remit. I get that the ratings are better on the CBBC channel, and I sympathise with that position; but I simply don’t see how BBC One can meet it’s remit without kid’s programmes. BBC Two hasn’t got over the existential crisis it had because of BBC Three and Four, yet they’re inviting the question: “What’s BBC One for?”
It also invites criticism, means that they have to find (and pay for) something to plug the gaps in the schedule, and reduces awareness of kid’s TV amongst the people who actually pay for it. As strategies go, it seems like madness.
- May 16, 12
This is where I’ve been this evening; I think that if you can give blood, you should. Only 4% of the population gives blood, yet 96% expects to receive it if needed. You can find your nearest donor session and book an appointment at blood.co.uk.
- May 14, 12
My life runs on Evernote. Evernote is my virtual filing cabinet, which contains both my work and my life. Evernote means that I can access important documents from anywhere – including my iPhone and iPad. It means that I don’t lose scraps of paper, either because things never make it to paper, or because I scan and upload to Evernote. Evernote means that I can search everything, including all of my scanned documents via OCR. And Evernote is fast, reliable, and has a generous free provision (though I pay for extra storage).
The best bit about Evernote is that it allows me to appear far more organised than I actually am. If anybody ever asks if I have a copy of something, I almost always know that the answer is yes, and I can find it in seconds with a simple search. That’s something that my haphazard filing system (comprising mainly a pile of documents on my desk) could never achieve.
I know that many people are evangelical about Dropbox for similar reasons to my Evernote evangelism. I understand why people love Dropbox, and I use it myself (mainly for backing up certain files that aren’t in my Evernote), but Evernote is something slightly different. I could replicate my Evernote organisation with a hierarchy of folders, but it wouldn’t feel the same, mainly because it would be displayed differently. I like that a note can contain multiple files as well as text – admittedly, a folder could do the same, but not in the same integrated way.
I was very sceptical about Evernote at first, but thought I’d give it a go. I was sold mainly on the search and anywhere-access capabilities, but have come to appreciate the whole way Evernote works. I’d strongly suggest giving it a go, and seeing if Evernote might just fit into your life and workflow.
- May 15, 12
- May 14, 12
I frequently recommend some of the apps I use on my Mac to other people, and generally get a positive reaction. However, I’ve never really written about them on this blog.
From tomorrow, that changes. For the next few weeks, I’ll be writing about a different desktop app that I love each week. It will appear online on a Wednesday morning, and will continue for as long as I have an app in mind that I use regularly, really love, and want to recommend (about ten weeks, I imagine). I hope you’ll enjoy it.
I’m also working on my “personal canon”, inspired by Robin Sloan’s excellent Fish (and David Cole’s excellent example). That won’t include apps, but I am planning to include books, music, and television alongside weblinks. That’s probably a few weeks away from being finished (or, as finished as the first iteration will ever be), so keep an eye out for that.
- May 14, 12
You’ll have seen last week that I featured the Tees Barrage, and mentioned how it supported a white water course. Well, this is that very course.
It wasn’t running today, so the water wasn’t especially white, and the whole course looked a little tame. Still, I’ve included a closer photo below.
This shot is interesting for showing some of the mechanics. Those things that look a bit like milk crates in the water (you can also see them in the first picture) are actually called “rapidblocks”. These can be repositioned to change the water current to create different flows and create different levels of challenge and difficulty. That’s how this course can be adapted to be suitable for both beginners and Olympians.
In fact, the blocks are the same as those that will be used at Lee Valley for London 2012, which is why the Tees Barrage International White Water Centre is being used as an Olympic training location for teams from across the world.
- May 14, 12
This is my Livescribe pen and current notebook. I use them all the time, and think they’re pretty fantastic.
My life revolves around Evernote, and Livescribe means that I can upload everything I write without the hassle of scanning everything in. Evernote also does pretty good OCR on my handwritten notes, making them fully searchable. On occasion, the audio recording function of the pen also comes in handy, especially in complex meetings.
Basically, it’s a brill system that I use all the time and highly recommend!
- May 12, 12
This is the war memorial in Newcastle’s Old Eldon Square. It’s a bronze figure of St George finishing off the dragon, designed by Charles Hartwell and unveiled in 1923. The inscription reads “Memory lingers here”.
This isn’t the best angle – St George is leaning off the other side of the horse, poking the dragon with his sword, so he looks a bit decapitated from this rear angle…
- May 11, 12
When you can’t trust M&S to use appropriate apostrophes, who can you trust? Perhaps they could re-employ the one sacked by Waterstones?
Or perhaps they have more pressing problems… the newly refurbished store I was in today had tens of these boxes dotted around the store catching leaks from the ceiling:
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Tweets
- Photo-a-day 138: A19 Tees Viaduct -> http://t.co/TqQzCm9T
- Removing children’s TV from BBC One is madness -> http://t.co/38d9yZ9F
- Received a #postcrossing postcard from Russia - http://t.co/IT6Ju9Kb
- I know times are tough for the newspaper industry, but this sort of price will decrease The Guardian's readership. http://t.co/RfdJ0MDX
- Photo-a-day 137: Blood Donor Centre -> http://t.co/wMzbPsD9
- Desktop app of the week: Evernote -> http://t.co/z6VZCQcl
- Aaron Sorkin confirmed to be adapting Steve Jobs's biography for film? That sounds pretty exciting: http://t.co/Leadk8gY
- I took the Twitter spelling test and scored: 95% (A) http://t.co/42E7fURh from the curvaceous @oatmeal
- Photo-a-day 136: Wendy’s ring -> http://t.co/On7rrCr3
- This may be the geekiest thing I've ever tweeted… but this paper on medical device regulation worldwide is FASCINATING: http://t.co/cn7vIYTp
- Brilliant infographic exploring risks involved in commercial flight: http://t.co/REXjlMAR
- And, while I'm ranting, why is a bishop's opinion on payday loans newsworthy? http://t.co/u9dKHEj2
- 79% describe it as the status quo, but no suggestion of support in that question.
- "80% of people in England support a religious role for the Queen" http://t.co/lLRAMJE4 Nonsense. 73% support it: http://t.co/wRYls9wy
- If BBC News are going to post such contradictory nonsense, it might help if they linked to original sources…!
- P1: "80% of people support a religious role for the Queen" P5: "25% thought the Queen should not have any faith role" http://t.co/lLRAMJE4
- Desktop app of the week -> http://t.co/459CB5w8
- Photo-a-day 135: Tees Barrage International White Water Centre -> http://t.co/FMULZyhC
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Posts
- May 10, 12
This week we discover what genetic modification experiments they’re actually doing in Rothamsted – the place that anti-GM campaigners have announced they intend to trash in a few weeks time. We also speak to Jocelyn Bell Burnell, the woman who discovered pulsars – and discover the intriguing ethical dilemma behind “do not resusitate”. And more!
[Direct MP3 Link] [Podcast Feed] [Add to iTunes]Please Donate & Support the Pod Delusion
Go on, it’s like buying us two drinks a month!- Make a donation to the Pod Delusion
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We’re trialling partnering with Audible – sign up and get a free trial and you’ll get a FREE AUDIOBOOK! And you’ll also be helping the Pod Delusion, which is nice. Available audiobooks include Sam Harris’s Moral Landscape and Ben Goldacre’s Bad Science. Sign up here.Pod Delusion Listener Survey
Please take a moment to complete our listeners survey – so we can find out how to improve the show!Libel Reform in the Queen’s Speech (2:42) by James O’Malley (ft Sile Lane)
Don’t Destroy Research (6:10) by Tracey Brown & Sile Lane (ft Toby Bruce & Huw Jones)
Kony 2012 (19:05) by Michael Story
Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell Interview (27:04) by Liz Lutgendorff
Do Not Resusitate (36:05) by Simon Howard
ACE creationism (45:38) by Jonny Scaramanga
Before Watchmen (51:08) by Declan O’Riordan
The sketch at the end is by David Lovesy & Brian TwoFollow-Up Links:
- Libel Reform Campaign
- Don’t Destroy Research (on the Sense About Science website)
- Full tour of Rothamsted Research with Sense About Science
- Full Jocelyn Bell Burnell Interview
- InTech Science Centre and Planetarium
- Athena Swan Awards
- Aug 29, 11
On Friday we’ll be putting out our 100th programme and in celebration, the excellent Simon Howard has put together some thematic compilations of some of the Pod Delusion’s best bits. Here’s the first one, in which Simon has picked some of the Pod Delusion’s best arguments.
[Podcast Feed] [Add to iTunes] - Aug 18, 11
We speak to Craig Reucassel from The Chasers about why satirists should be allowed to use Parliamentary footage, find out about our care footprints, and find out why the arms trade is like slavery (and other cheerful stuff like that).
[Direct MP3 Link] [Podcast Feed] [Add to iTunes]If you enjoy the programme, please support us by subscribing to donate so we can continue doing what we do. Care Footprint (1:52) by Simon Howard
The Vorderman Report (9:24) by Peter Rowlett
Slaughterhouse Five Banned (16:54) by Salim Fadhley (ft Marc Leeds)
Parliamentary Censorship (25:42) by Blakeley Nixon (ft Craig Reucassel and Helen Lewis-Hasteley)
The Arms Trade & Slavery (38:41) by Henry Boddington
Geek Nation (47:42) by Liz Lutgendorff (ft Angela Saini)
Christian Skeptic (56:10) by Bethany Jenkins
Mysticism in Pregnancy (59:57) by Matt Kaiser
The sketch at the end is by David Lovesy & Brian TwoShow Notes:
- Peter’s full analysis of the Vorderman report
- Blakeley’s full report – including extended interviews with Craig from the Chasers & Helen from the New Statesman
- The Chasers
- Liz’s full interview with Angela Saini
- Listen to Angela Saini discussing Geek Nation at London Skeptics in the Pub
- Buy Geek Nation here
- Campaign Against The Arms Trade
- Aug 11, 11
This week we smash open the window of analysis and loot all of the best commentary on the London riots – as well as argue about Morrissey (again), electric cars and propose free beer for all!
[Direct MP3 Link] [Podcast Feed] [Add to iTunes]If you enjoy the programme, please support us by subscribing to donate so we can continue doing what we do. Technology and Riots (2:10) by Martin Robbins
Crowd Control (8:08) by Dean Burnett
Reading and Riots (15:20) by Frank Key
Pandemrix and Narcolepsy (20:21) by Simon Howard
Lords Reform (29:32) by Cory Hazelhurst
Morrissey Response (35:32) by Dan Swindlehurst
Electric Cars & Top Gear (40:22) by Tom Hodden
Maperton Trust (48:25) by Adam Cuerden
Free Beer (55:48) by Adam Jacobs
The sketches are by David Lovesy and Brian TwoFollow-Up Stuff:
- Adam’s Maperton Trust report in full:
- Adam’s Maperton Trust report in full:
- Jul 14, 11
We find out why abortion is brilliant, why maths isn’t immediately profitable but ultimately is, and about an intriguing new play about the dangers of alternative medicine. We also speak to author Mark Stevenson about his book. And much more!
[Direct MP3 Link] [Podcast Feed] [Add to iTunes]If you enjoy the programme, please support us by subscribing to donate so we can continue doing what we do. Pro-Choice Protest (1:49) by James O’Malley (ft Dr Evan Harris and Kate Smurthwaite)
James Webb Telescope (9:10) by Kash Farooq
Elevatorgate Response (13:48) by Natalie Dzerins (read by Charlotte Hooson-Sykes)
Maths & Progess (19:40) by Peter Rowlett
Alternative (27:01) by James O’Malley & Liz Lutgendorff (ft Trent Burton & Maria MacLachlan)
PowerPoint (37:22) by Simon Howard
An Optimist’s Tour of the Future (42:23) by Liz Lutgendorff (ft Mark Stevenson)
Sketches by David Lovesy and Brian TooFollow-Up Links:
- May 27, 11
[Direct MP3 Link] [Podcast Feed] [Add to iTunes]Science Careers (2:03) by James O’Malley & Liz Lutgendorff (ft Science Minister David Willets MP!)
Web Wars (16:38) by James Firth
Religion In The Surgery (25:30) by Luke Edwards
Religion In The Surgery II (32:16) by Salim Fadhley (ft Naomi Phillips)
Dead Bodies (40:17) by Simon Howard
The Daily Mail (47:12) by Will Parbury
Lady Gaga (54:52) by Martyn Norris
L’espirit de l’escalier (62:11) by Alex GilbertFollow-Up Links:
- Apr 14, 11
[Direct MP3 Link] [Podcast Feed] [Add to iTunes]You wait ages for a philosopher, and then three come along at once. Following Rebecca Goldstein and AC Grayling last week, this week we speak to Sam Harris about his new book ‘The Moral Landscape’… and much, much more.
The Moral Landscape (2:42) by James O’Malley & Liz Lutgendorff (ft Sam Harris)
Koran Burning (16:04) by Pete Hague
Lansley’s Tenets (22:16) by Simon Howard
Free Markets & Fish (31:25) by Adam Jacobs
Copyright Extension (37:28) by Salim Fadhley (ft Peter Bradwell)
Humanist Schools in Uganda (44:34) by James O’Malley (ft Andrew West)
The Ancestor’s Trail (49:56) by Liz Lutgendorff (ft Chris Jenord)Follow-Up Links
- Buy The Moral Landscape by Sam Harris here
- Andrew’s Photo Exhibition
- Uganda Humanist School Trust
- Why not go on the Ancestor’s Trail
Full Interview With Sam Harris
[Direct MP3 Link] [Pod Delusion Extra Feed] [Add to iTunes] - Mar 31, 11
[Direct MP3 Link] [Podcast Feed] [Add to iTunes]Gideon’s Budget (2:14) by Jon Treadway
Crossing the Italians (9:44) by Nick Boorer
The Vatican Fries Your Brain (16:10) by Tessa Kendall
Antivaxers and Paul Offit (22:18) by Dave Woodward
NHS Outcomes Framework (30:18) by Simon Howard
Dirk Gently Recommissioned (42:46) by Jon Treadway (ft Stephen Mangan and Ed Victor)
Roy Zimmerman on Ted Haggard (48:5) by Salim Fadhley
Post-credit appeal by Sean Ellis - Mar 17, 11
[Direct MP3 Link] [Podcast Feed] [Add to iTunes]Enjoy the show? Suggested donation: £10 Plain Cigarette Packaging (1:56) by Simon Howard
Susan Blackmore Interview (8:08) by Jon Treadway
E-Book Bill Of Rights (16:16) by Salim Fadhley
The Guttenberg Affair (25:10) by Sven Rudloff
Brain Scanning (34:14) by Dean Burnett
The Grant Museum (41:22) by Liz Lutgendorff (ft Jack Ashby)Follow-up links:
Pod Delusion EXTRA:
- Jan 07, 11
[Direct MP3 Link] [Add to iTunes]Enjoy the show? Please consider donating to help us keep the show going! Richard Herring Interview (1:37) by James O’Malley & Liz Lutgendorff
Homeopathy Vets (9:10) by Kash Farooq
King James Bible (13:45) by Simon Howard
What Makes A Suicide Bomber? (21:15) by Salim Fadhley (ft Prof Adam Lankford)
Mark Carwardine Interview (30:28) by Liz Lutgendorff
Eugenie Scott at QED (35:32) by Trystan Swale & Hayley Stevens- Richard Herring full interview:
- Richard Herring’s Website
- Mark Carwardine’s Save The Rhinos Lecture
- Simon’s Bible Reading Link
- Come to our LIVE RECORDING at QED!
- Richard Herring full interview:
- Dec 02, 10
[Direct MP3 Link] [Add to iTunes]Enjoy the show? Please consider donating to help us keep the show going! New Lifeforms (3:16) by Liz Lutgendorff
NICE Changes Are Good (8:14) by Simon Howard
Tuition Fees Are Good (16:32) by Fred Tilley
Aussie Monarchy (22:28) by Andrew Gould
Lying About Santa (28:02) by Rob Weeks
Strictly Come Bigoted (33:14) by Jennie RiggWould you lie to your kids about Santa Claus? Tell us in the comments!
- Nov 18, 10
[Direct MP3 Link] [Add to iTunes]Enjoy the show? Please consider donating to help us keep the show going! Defending McHealth Policy (2:01) by Dr Simon Howard
Negotiating with Pirates (9:52) by Drew Rae and David Couch
Monarchists are people too (16:50) by Malden Capell
Stop Bashing Christians (26:20) by Jourdemayne
Armando Iannucci and Simon Blackwell Interview (36:31) by James O’Malley and Liz Lutgendorff - Sep 30, 10
[Direct MP3 Link] [Add to iTunes]Greg Graffin on Anarchy Evolution (1:07) by James O’Malley & Liz Lutgendorff
Life Years and Drugs (12:46) by Simon Howard
Letterbox Danger (20:05) by Alex Foster
Bad PR – Sex on Holidays (25:58) by MarshFollow-up links:
- Greg Graffin interview in full:
- More on Anarchy Evolution
- Buy Pod Delusion Merchandise here
- Greg Graffin interview in full:
- Jul 09, 10
[Direct MP3 Link]Foreign Ladybirds by Salim Fadhley
Women Invisibility by Tania Glyde
Should All Skeptics Be Atheists? By Drew Rae
Relax and Rehabilitation by Simon Howard
Islam and Football by Salim Fadhley - May 13, 10
[Direct MP3 Link]Twitter and the Election (1:38) by George Poles
What next for Evan Harris? (7:52) by James O’Malley
What next for Libel Reform? (9:37) by James O’Malley
Fair Votes Protest (12:10) by Misty
Women and the Election (16:25) by Tania Glyde
Five Live (22:56) by Simon Howard
Subsistance Farming (24:06) by Salim FadhleyFollow up links:
- Apr 29, 10
[Direct MP3 Link]TV Leadership Debates by Tom Morris
What Really Happens on Polling Day by Alex Foster
Electoral Reform by Malden Capell
NHS Efficiency Savings by Simon Howard
Boobquake by Liz LutgendorffFollow up links:
- Feb 11, 10
[Direct MP3 Link]Darwin Day (0:51) by James O’Malley (ft chief exec of the BHA Andrew Copson, Richard Dawkins and Prof Chris Stringer)
Prop 8 Part 2 (12:32) by Salim Fadhley
CNHC One Year On (20:19) by Sean Ellis
Assessing Junior Doctors (27:47) by Simon Howard
Rich Johnston Interview (34:13) by Liz LutgendorffFollow-up links:
- The British Humanist Association
- Bleeding Cool (Rich Johnston’s site)
- Rich Johnston’s full uncut interview:
- Jan 14, 10
[Direct MP3 Link]
David Cameron’s Face (0:55) by George Poles
The Big Freeze (4:15) by Martin Robbins
Google Owns Our Souls (9:23) by Liz Lutgendorff
NHS IT Systems (15:16) by Simon Howard
Douglas Adams (20:26) by Misty
Dan Brown and Tony Robinson (23:10) by Billy Abbott
ITV and the Regions (26:42) by Mark Thompson - Jan 05, 10
Jon, who runs the Bad Psychics network of sites has asked if I could compile some of our homeopathy-related reports into a single episode to be featured on his website. Not one to turn an excellent promotional opportunity down, I put the following together…
Homeopathy Undercover by Crispian Jago
Is conventional medicine all it’s cracked up to be? by Simon Howard
Homeopathy at the Select Committee by Martin Robbins
An Open Letter to Boots by Andy Wilson - Jan 01, 10
[Direct MP3 Link]Political Scandal of the Year by Simon Howard
Product of the Year by Salim Fadhley
Disease of the Year by Billy Abbott
Social Media Mogul of the Year by Liz Lutgendorff
Blogger of the Year by Crispian Jago
Quote of the Year by Martyn Norris
Comedian of the Year by Misty
Gaming Twat of the Year by Jim Dixon
Douchebag of the Year by Owen Duffy
Most Missed 2009 by Jon Treadway
Pod Delusion Listeners Award by James O’MalleyFollow up links below the break:
Blogger of the year finalists from Crispian:
10. Adventures in Nonsense & Zeno’s Blog
http://adventuresinnonsense.blogspot.com/
http://www.zenosblog.com/9. The Enemies of Reason
http://enemiesofreason.blogspot.com/8. Heresy Corner
http://heresycorner.blogspot.com/7. Podblack Cat
http://podblack.com/6. Dr. Petra Boynton
http://www.drpetra.co.uk/blog/5. Gimpy’s Blog
http://gimpyblog.wordpress.com/4. Carmen Gets Around
http://carmenego.wordpress.com/3. Jourdemayne
http://jourdemayne.blogspot.com/2. Vagina Dentata
http://avaginadentata.blogspot.com/1. Jack of Kent
http://jackofkent.blogspot.com/Why Pod Delusion winner Simon Singh is Awesome
- Dec 17, 09
[Direct MP3 Link]
This week:
Winterval (0:00) by James O’Malley
Johnny drops a Ball (3:33) by Salim Fadhley
Debunking the Nativity (8:43) by Jack of Kent
The modern day Nativity (14:16) by Liz Lutgendorff
Ann Summers at Christmas (18:11) by Simon Howard
Christmas Number One (22:11) by Martyn Norris
RIP Frosty (26:31) by George PolesSongs throughout by Jon Treadway and James Taylor
Show notes:
- New Scientist debunking Climate Change ‘scepticism’.
- Godless show tickets (We’re not on a commission… unfortunately).
- Pre-Godless Show tweet-up on Saturday 19th. Find out more.
- Listen to the songs featured on the show on their own:
- Take the Pod Delusion Listener Survey
- 1023?
- Oct 22, 09
[Direct MP3 Link]In this week’s show:
The Ethics of Formula 1 by Duncan Stephen
Ubuntu and open source by Owen Duffy
The problem with conventional medicine by Simon Howard
What is ‘music’? by James O’Malley - Oct 02, 09
[Direct MP3 Link]Stories covered this week:
Labour Conference (0:52) by Will Howells
PFI and Hospitals (5:34) by Simon Howard
Atheism and Class (9:49) by Tom Morris
Freeview Gambling Channels (19:07) by Duncan Stephen
Quack iPhone app reviews (27:19) by Crispian Jago - Sep 25, 09
[Direct MP3 Link]
Stories covered this week (timecode in brackets):
Lib Dem Party Conference (1:07) by Will Howells
Homeopathy Undercover (5:23) by Crispian Jago
Healthcare and cuts (15:26) by Simon Howard
The future of intellectual property (20:40) by Pete Hague
The BNP on Question Time (23:08) by Arthur Embleton
Babies (28:22) by Jim Dixon - Sep 18, 09
[Direct MP3 Link]Stories covered this week (timecode in brackets):
Gordon Brown’s language (0:44) By Simon Howard
Product Placement on TV (5:52) By Duncan Stephen
Edge Media TV (9:26) By James O’Malley
New School Academies (15:53) By Misty
New Darwin Centre at the Natural History Museum (21:44) By Crispian Jago
Derren Brown’s Lottery Stunt (25:21) By Will Howells
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Info
- Public Health Doctor in Specialty TrainingHospital & Health Care | Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom, GBSummaryI am a 26 year-old Public Health Registrar working in the North East of England.
I graduated in Medicine from Newcastle University in 2008, and spent two years working in clinical medicine - from primary care to tertiary referral centres - in Newcastle upon Tyne. In 2010, I chose to specialise in Public Health, and completed an MSc in Public Health and Health Services Research in 2011.
My day-to-day work is currently with NHS Tees, working to improve the health of the local population, whilst also developing the skills required to become a Consultant in Public Health by the end of my training programme in 2015.
I have a particular interest in health protection, and in healthcare public health, and I sit on advisory board boards for the MHRA and BMA.Specialties: Medicine, Public HealthExperience- Aug 2010 - PresentPublic Health Specialty Registrar / NHS TeesWorking to improve the health of populations across the North East of England, whilst developing the knowledge and skills to become a Consultant in Public Health.
- Aug 2011 - Dec 2011Public Health Specialty Registrar / Health Protection Agency
- Apr 2010 - Aug 2010Foundation Doctor in Neurosurgery / Newcastle Upon Tyne NHS Foundation Trust
- Dec 2009 - Apr 2010Foundation Doctor in General Practice / Roseworth Surgery
- Oct 2009 - Dec 2009Foundation Doctor in Rehabilitative Medicine / Newcastle Upon Tyne NHS Foundation Trust
- Aug 2009 - Oct 2009Foundation Doctor in Elderly Care / Newcastle Upon Tyne NHS Foundation Trust
- Apr 2009 - Aug 2009Foundation Doctor in Gastroenterology / Newcastle Upon Tyne NHS Foundation Trust
- Dec 2008 - Apr 2009Foundation Doctor in Stroke Medicine / Newcastle Upon Tyne NHS Foundation Trust
- Aug 2008 - Dec 2008Foundation Doctor in Upper GI Surgery / Newcastle Upon Tyne NHS Foundation Trust
- Nov 2006 - Feb 2008Researcher / 63336 LimitedResponding to text message questions and requests for information using online research.
- Jul 2007 - Aug 2007Elective Medical Student in Family Practice / Barr/Hardin Family Practice Clinic
- Jun 2007 - Jul 2007Elective Medical Student in Forensic Pathology / Office of the Chief Medical Examiner
- Jul 2002 - Sept 2003DIY and Decorating Advisor / Homebase, Home Retail Group PLCCustomer service assistant on the shop floor, also offering DIY and decorating advice to customers.
Education-
2010 - 2011University of Newcastle-upon-TyneMaster of Public Health and Health Services Research (MSc)
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2003 - 2008University of Newcastle-upon-TyneMedicine (MBBS)
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2003 - 2005Durham UniversityPre-clincal Medicine (MBBS)
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2001 - 2003King George V College, SouthportA-Levels in Biology, Chemistry, Computing, Mathematics, English (Language and Literature)
Additional Information-
Websites:
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Interests:I live in Newcastle upon Tyne, with Wendy, my girlfriend. In my spare time, I write, tweet, drink tea, and report for The Pod Delusion, a London-based podcast and radio programme. I sit on advisory boards for the BMA and MHRA. I used to write lots of political commentary - I even wrote a book. I rarely have enough free time to do that these days, but I remain active on quite a few social networks.
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Some academic work
- I decided some years ago to publish some of my academic work online for the benefit of others. This page lists what's out there.Foundation Programme Audits & PresentationsJournal club: sciatic surgery expectations & outcomes (Slideboom; 2010)Journal Club: hypothermia after acute brain injury (Slideboom; 2010)Management of acute pancreatitis (Slideboom; 2008)Management of shock (Slideboom; 2009)NICE guidelines on acute stroke management (Slideboom; 2008)Phaeochromocytoma and cardiology (Slideboom; 2010)Audit of willingness to provide mouth-to-mouth (PDF; 2009)Medical School PresentationsAcute confusion (Slideboom; 2006)Breaking bad news (Slideboom; 2007)Chest Pain (Slideboom, 2008)Chronic effects of alcohol on the nervous system (Slideboom; 2006)Confirming death (Slideboom, 2008)Dysphagia (Slideboom; 2006)Hip fractures (Slideboom; 2006)Learning disabilities and mental health (Slideboom; 2007)Meningitis C vaccination (Slideboom; 2006)Mental health & confidentiality (Slideboom; 2006)Paediatric sinusitis (Slideboom; 2006)Pros of Down's Syndrome screening (Slideboom; 2006)Small Babies (Slideboom, 2008)Substance Misuse (Sideboom, 2008)Tortid testis (Slideboom; 2006)Medical School AssignmentsCOPD and Osteoporosis (PDF; 2005)Cystic fibrosis (PDF; 2003)Fish oils and cardiovascular disease (PDF; 2004)Low birthweight babies and educational needs (PDF; 2004)A-Level BiologyA-Level English: Dracula and FrankensteinComparing the presentation of Lucy and Mina in Dracula (PDF; circa 2002)A-Level English: Language Production & AnalysisEvaluate the effect of Stalin’s speech style in his radio broadcast to the Russian people, explaining how he conveys his attitudes and values in the context of a radio address (PDF; circa 2003; source speech)Mock newspaper report on Titanic tragedy (PDF; circa 2002)Mock red-top newspaper report (PDF; circa 2002)A-Level English: The AlchemistExplore the ways in which Subtle and Face vary their approach and language to suit their different victims (PDF; circa 2003)A-Level English: The Miller's TaleA discussion of the ways in which Chaucer builds up a picture of Absolon and Nicholas (PDF; circa 2003)“The Miller’s Tale demonstrates the richness and enormous variety of Chaucer’s English.” How far do you agree with this statement? (PDF; circa 2003)A-Level MathsStatistics Project (PDF; 2002-3)A-Level ComputingComputing Project (PDF; 2001-2)All work is Copyright Simon Howard. I trust you won't plagiarise it.
