I was diagnosed with epilepsy at the age of 17 and I’ve now lived with the condition for almost half of my life. Each day requires careful planning to avoid the triggers that lead to the focal aware seizures I still experience regularly despite medication and precautions.
These triggers could be overstimulating environments, bright lights or even delayed or missed meals, all of which can easily provoke an episode. Many times, my patients are more aware of what my sunflower lanyard means than the clinicians around me. We need to consider why that is, and what we are missing.
Becoming a disability advocate
I have been an advocate for disabled doctors as the regional representative for resident doctors in the West Midlands – a new role which I’ve had to work out how to drive forward. I often felt like I was working in isolation until I discovered the incredible work of Alice Gatenby, who has since become a friend. Her dedication and advocacy in this field has inspired me deeply.
One of the consequences of my condition is that I cannot drive, which has led to criticism from people who don’t fully understand. As part of my professional responsibilities, I carry out home visits which are within walking distance. Yet, I’ve still faced misguided and dismissive remarks from colleagues such as, ‘You’re getting special treatment’ or ‘You don’t have to do home visits, good for you.’
What’s most disheartening is that these comments often come from those who are fully aware of my circumstances. The invisible nature of my condition often leads to unfair judgments. I have had seizure episodes during shifts that have sometimes forced me to go home early. Some colleagues have misread this as a lack of focus or commitment. I’ve even faced judgement from hospital staff for taking necessary breaks to avoid epileptic auras.
I’ve heard first-hand accounts from disabled colleagues constantly battling rota teams just to get reasonable adjustments – something I have also tackled myself. This made me realise the serious gap in support, awareness, and interdepartmental communication.
I once received an email from HR asking whether my reasonable adjustments still needed to continue, and it included a generic warning about potential pay cuts and contract changes if certain shifts were missed. That clause wasn’t even applicable to my situation. It felt like an unnecessary threat and reflects a lack of understanding of the lived reality of disabled doctors.
My advice for other disabled doctors
If you’re a disabled doctor, know that your health and wellbeing are non-negotiable. Reasonable adjustments are your legal right under the Equality Act – not a favour, not a concession and certainly not a privilege to be begged for.
You don’t owe the system silence just to fit in. Speak up, even when it’s uncomfortable. The law is on your side and no rota team, deanery, or bureaucratic wall jargon gets to tell you otherwise.
What I think needs to change
– Seek support if you need it. Disabled doctors, particularly international medical graduates, may hesitate to seek support out of fear of the proverbial 'rocking the boat'. I remember feeling exactly that way during my first few years in the NHS and being afraid to speak up. But it is vital we send a stronger, clearer message that the Equality Act protects disabled doctors’ right to reasonable adjustments. Elected BMA members might want to join the BMA’s disability long-term conditions and neurodivergence network, which I have recently done
– Include disabled doctor examples in medical training. During my GP training, particularly while preparing for the simulated consultation assessment exam, I never encountered a scenario involving a colleague with a medical disability. This is a missed opportunity. Including such cases in GP vocational training scheme curriculum and assessments would better prepare future GPs to handle these sensitive situations
– Easy access to resources. Provide links to occupational health, practitioner health, travel concessions, and disability support on each local medical committee website
– Formal introduction and support pack from the Deanery for doctors with disabilities at the start of their training. While I appreciate the efforts of reasonable adjustments teams, there needs to be more clarity and easier navigation. Greater visibility and understanding of the sunflower icon within the NHS. This would help to foster understanding and reduce stigma
– Free access to epilepsy alarms and medical alert bracelets for doctors with long-term conditions. These aren’t luxuries they’re basic safety tools. Local integrated care boards or NHS trusts can and should fund them, especially for those living alone or working on-call shifts
– Travel reimbursement reforms. Currently, there are schemes that refund travel costs for trainees but for doctors with disabilities who medically cannot drive, public transport or taxis are often the only option. These costs should be reimbursed in full.
Disabled and neurodivergent doctors form an essential minority within the NHS workforce. Sharing our stories is about moving a bit closer to a system that truly delivers on its promise of equality for all. This journey is rooted in dignity and respect. I encourage you to pause and reflect because often this is the first step towards real change.
Syed Masihuddin is a GP trainee based in Shropshire