The Black Bag

26/09/2022

We are looking for a treasurer for the next year! Please message us to apply. We are a really friendly bunch ! Also looks great on CV and applications

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18/10/2021

OUR FIRST MEETING OF THE YEAR TONIGHT 5PM AT THE WHITE BEAR ON ST MICHAEL'S HILL.

There are a few articles up for grabs but also bring along ideas! This is not just the writers' meeting if you want to draw, edit or content create for us then also come along.

01/04/2021

If you would like to apply to be part of the Black Bag for next year then please complete this google document form!

Obviously if you would like to apply to be a social media content creator or a writer, we are very happy for you to join the team now, you do not have to wait to be elected!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScAic1_0ljdLWRItTSCG14V77PU08rTMU1zm8hIvo6Es9iabQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

Hello! My name is Molly and I am editor of the Black Bag. If you would like to apply for any of these roles then please fill in form. To apply to be Editor or Vice-Editor please also send us an email at [email protected] with your writing experience and how you would take the publication forwar...

24/03/2021

Our second article for the Let's Talk campaign is one I'm sure all of us can relate to - the need for a day off. Click the link below to read the thoughts of one of our writers, Milena Murphy, on how we should be kinder to ourselves and avoid burnout!

https://www.theblackbag.co.uk/post/why-we-should-be-kind-enough-to-allow-ourselves-the-occasional-day-off

24/03/2021

As part of our collaboration with the amazing Let's Talk Campaign, we have asked male Bristol medical students to tell us about what mental health means to them. Click the link below to read more:
https://www.theblackbag.co.uk/post/what-does-mental-health-mean-to-you-answered-by-male-bristol-medical-students

We asked male Bristol medical students to tell us what mental health means to them. We have included a small selection of these quotes below: Mental health is something of an enigma for me at times. When I'm struggling I don't always realise the impact it has on the rest of my day to day until I rea...

01/03/2021

It's not often we write about research studies, but YouScreen, launched last week has definitely caught our attention. Home-testing kits for women aims to dramatically increase cervical cancer screening rates and reduce fear, shame and embarrassment.

"Even prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, cervical screening rates were already at their lowest for two decades. About three million women across England had not had a smear test for a least three and a half years and yet, cervical cancer is the most common cancer in women and people with a cervix under 35. The feelings that women and people with a cervix experience about their vaginal health are often highly complex. There is an association of shame and fear; which is hardly surprising if you consider how little women and people with a cervix are educated about their bodies in mainstream education."

CLICK LINK TO READ REST OF ARTICLE.....

https://www.theblackbag.co.uk/post/do-it-yourself-testing-kits-tackling-low-cervical-cancer-screening-rates-at-home

The coronavirus pandemic has impacted social and economic activity to the point where our society is barely recognisable. Now that Boris Johnson has given us a “roadmap” route out of it, it’s easy to think that the impacts of this disease will soon be over. However, the effects of interruption...

24/02/2021

Cecilia Gran's very interesting take on a recent Dutch study which examined how COVID restrictions impact our mental health.

"With lockdown strategies introduced to decrease virus transmission, individuals with severe mental health disorders might experience some sense of relief as their preferred habits become shared lifestyle features in all of society. Staying at home may help these individuals build a structured daily routine, providing a feeling of safety. "

If you or someone you know needs support, Samaritans is just one of the many charities that provide confidential support for those experiencing feelings of distress. They are a free 24-hour helpline. Their contact number is 116 123. Do not hesitate to get in contact with them if you are struggling.

https://www.theblackbag.co.uk/post/the-truth-about-the-mental-health-impact-of-covid-19

A year ago if you had muttered the words quarantine, lockdown or physical distancing, it probably would have been in reference to an apocalypse film where two of the last people on earth are fighting out against the end of the planet. We would have considered a global pandemic as something we would....

18/02/2021

‘Everyone should go for it, I’d love for the whole of the med school to get stinking rich.’

One of our writers had the opportunity to interview Mainga Bhima, a second year Bristol medical student and winner of 64,000 pounds on 'Who wants to be a millionaire?', about her experience on the show. Click the link below to read more of the interview by Zin Htut!

https://www.theblackbag.co.uk/post/who-wants-to-be-a-millionaire-interview-with-mainga-bhima

Who is Mainga Bhima? A bubbly and ever-effervescent second year Bristol medical student, a good friend of mine from my CBL tutorial group, and now, the winner of £64,000 after appearing on the TV show Who Wants to be A Millionaire? ‘The whole experience was just so surreal, like a fever dream,’...

15/02/2021

Jumping on the finances for medical students hype - we attended Dr Kevon Parmesar's enlightening talk on all he wished he had known about money as a medical student.

From running a depop on the side to getting tax relief when you buy your stethoscope. Link to the talk in the article below!

I cannot vouch for all medical students, but from my experience we don’t really have the best reputation at university for being the most financially competent kids on the block. Therefore, when I got the chance to attend a talk by Dr Kevon Parmesar on everything he wished he’d known about manag...

13/02/2021

The Breast Project is the first UK-wide scheme created to enhance breast education in medical school and inspire the next generation of aspiring surgeons to consider breast surgery as a future career.

https://www.theblackbag.co.uk/post/the-breast-project-first-national-medical-student-breast-society

The Breast Project is the first UK-wide scheme created to enhance breast education in medical school and inspire the next generation of aspiring surgeons to consider breast surgery as a future career. Having had one week of breast surgery experience as a third-year medical student, I met a breast su...

10/02/2021

Beautifully written anonymous dual poem. An interesting and thought-provoking read to disturb the mid-week mundanity...

As doctors we are often quick to medicate and its important to consider the impact this can have our identities and souls

09/02/2021

Another day, another big hitting interview! Kate Bingham is chair of the UK Government's Vaccine Taskforce, steering procurement of vaccines and the strategy for their deployment during the COVID-19 pandemic.

We sat down to discuss all things vaccine with her as well as bog-snorkelling and advice to future doctors.

Click the link to read !

https://www.theblackbag.co.uk/post/interview-with-kate-bingham-chair-of-the-uk-vaccine-taskforce

Monday 1st February 2021 I had the privilege of speaking over Microsoft Teams to the quick-witted and fiercely intelligent Kate Bingham, who has chaired the UK vaccine taskforce this past year. Many credit her with the speed and subsequent success of the UK’s vaccination programme, making decision...

21/01/2021

Hello welcome back to the new term! As we all continue to train during a pandemic, it is imperative to find outlets to prevent BURNOUT!

We would love for you to write, draw, debate, design for us and are happy to embrace topics from far and wide. So if you want to advertise the new society you have set up to tackle scary consultants or the bake sale u are having next week in aid of hummingbirds, if you want to debate being a vegan or EVEN write a piece explaining how you truly believe Bojo actually is dealing ever so well with this pandemic, if you want to write a poem, interview someone, or even if you have absolutely no ideas yourself but would like an excuse not to join and then give up on strava as you have done every lockdown so far. Then just drop us a message!

You also have a chance to be part of history, this is the oldest Medical school magazine and surely every medic wants to have their name engraved in history, even if you never do get that rare genetic disorder named after you.

Looking forward to hearing from you,
M. van der Heiden
Editor in Chief