In conversation with our alumni: Dr Ceri Todd

Ceri currently works full-time as a GP in a busy city centre practice.

Ceri has been the Lead GP for the Homeless and Vulnerably housed population in Swansea for the last 10 years. Together with two specialist nurses, Ceri offers a unique daily healthcare service to the local homeless population working very closely with the third sector.

Ceri also offers a shared care substance misuse service, is a prison doctor and recently took on the role of Cluster Lead representing City Health Cluster: a group of 9 surgeries in Swansea. Ceri has taught and supervised Cardiff, Swansea and London medical students for many years and holds the title of Honorary Clinical Lecturer at Swansea University.

A typical day Ceri explains:

“Starts with a busy morning surgery followed by phone call advice, checking patient results and letters, signing scripts, house visits, Homeless Clinic, Cluster andother meetings. Completing the day with afternoon surgery! My day is long, busy, and challenging but extremely rewarding.”

Upon questioning Ceri as to why she chose Cardiff School of Medicine, she explains that it was Cardiff that chose her through the ‘clearing’ process at the tender age of 18:

“Prior to sitting my A-levels I had had no interviews for Medicine. On results day, the then University of Wales College of Medicine (UWCM) offered me an interview and the rest is history. I felt proud and honored to have been given the opportunity to study medicine just 30 miles from Pontlottyn, the village in the Rhymney Valley where I grew up.”

Ceri highlights her 8-week elective period spent in Penang, Malaysia as the most memorable time as a Cardiff student:

“While a 4th year student we were encouraged to spend a period observing and studying medicine in another country. My best friend and I chose to travel to Penang in Malaysia where we were attached to a General Medical and Cardiology ward. This was our first encounter of tropical medicine – Dengue fever was after all rarely seen on the wards in Cardiff Hospitals!”

Immediately after graduating Ceri enjoyed a road trip in France. On her return, she worked as a Surgical House Officer for the lovely Mr Rintoul in Nevill Hall Hospital, Abergavenny for six months, followed by six months as a Medical House Officer at East Glamorgan Hospital.

Ceri completed her GP training (Bridgend VTS) and in 1996 took up a Psychiatric Senior House Officer post at Cefn Coed Hospital in Swansea where she worked on the addiction ward that first sparked her interest in addiction medicine. Following a Staff Grade position in A&E Bridgend, Ceri was a GP Locum and became a GP Partner in Carmarthen in 1999. In 2003 Ceri become a GP Partner at her current practice: Abertawe Medical Partnership Swansea.

This is a shortened version of the full article that features in edition 27 of ReMEDy.

Read the full article