Avenue

Me by Punam Krishan

Dr Punam Krishan (MBBS 2006) is a GP in Glasgow and has become a familiar face around the UK owing to her regular appearances as the health expert on BBC morning television show Morning Live. As well as offering medical advice on the show, Dr Punam shares guidance on her social media channels and is a passionate advocate for women’s health issues. This autumn, she will be a contestant on the popular BBC show Strictly Come Dancing – something she describes as a ‘dream come true’!

What does a typical working week look like for you?
From Monday to Thursday morning, I work as a GP in an NHS practice in Glasgow and then the rest of Thursday and Friday is when I do my other work. I do a radio surgery, then I travel down to Manchester for Morning Live. I’ve been the television show’s resident doctor for almost four years now.

What made you decide to start working in the media as well as a GP in practice?
I’ve always loved writing – I started off writing for the GP publication Pulse. I was experiencing burnout and writing became a space to offload and express my feelings about work. There’s a lot of negativity towards GPs and people in primary care, and that can be quite isolating. 
I felt empowered by sharing my experiences 
and it connected with lots of fellow doctors, then it all took off from there.

You often talk about women’s health issues, why is that an important area for you?
I’ve always been aware of the barriers and challenges that women face and I connect with that. I think, coming from a South Asian background, I understand that women can struggle to share how they’re feeling and to talk about medical problems. I also experienced a very traumatic birth with my eldest child; I was very unwell and in intensive care. I had severe postnatal depression and the care that I received could have been better. I never want another woman to ever feel the way I did, and I think that’s really informed the GP that I’ve since become. All of this has led me to want to champion women and be an advocate for women’s healthcare needs.

I never dreamed of being on TV, but growing up, I remember wishing there were more people that looked like me on the telly.”

What kind of responsibility do you feel when you’re talking about health issues on television or on social media?
Social media and television are very powerful modes of educating the public about key health messages, and that’s an important part of my job. It’s my responsibility to make sure that I’m 100% accurate with any information that I’m giving and that it is evidence-based. There’s a huge amount of misinformation out there, which can result in a lot of anxiety.

What piece of advice would you give people to improve their physical and mental health?
In the hustle and bustle of life, we often cut corners to try and save time and do more and that can mean we sacrifice or compromise on rest. Rest is so important for physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. I’d also say to make sure that you’re talking to people and connecting; I think that’s something that more of us are lacking now.

How do you stay connected with your Indian heritage?
My mum and dad came to Glasgow from Punjab in India in the late 1970s and I was born and brought up in the city. My mum has been 
the glue between me and my culture and heritage. We used to go to India every summer and looking back, I see that those trips were really special.

Where’s your favourite place in the world?
I would love to settle in Uist in the Outer Hebrides one day. I went last year, and it really struck a chord with me. It’s so beautiful, it makes you feel like you’re away from the world as we know it. I just loved the sense of community there.

There are lots of things I love about Glasgow, but the people are amazing. I moved to London for a few years, but I quickly came back because I missed the people.

What always lifts your mood?
Our dog! He’s a cockapoo and he’s just serotonin wrapped in fur! He’s dopey and gives unconditional love. My kids are my world, but do they run to the door when I get home? No!

What’s your happiest memory?
I did the North Coast 500 with my husband and kids last year and it was the adventure of a lifetime. The views, the wildlife, the beaches and the people we met along the way were all magical. Even though it rained on some of the days, I was so happy and lost in the moment.

What are your personal ambitions for the next year?
I used to dance a lot when I was younger – I did classical Indian dancing – so I think I’d like to go back and maybe do some formal dancing lessons [I think this wish will soon become a reality on the BBC! – Ed]. My big project at the moment is my next two children’s books. I have one out already; it’s called How to be a Doctor and Other Life-Saving Jobs. My next one is called You and Your Body and it’s for five- to seven-year olds. It was inspired by wanting to add more dimension to what the body is. This will help children make connections between what their anatomical body looks like and their feelings inside.
The second book is called A Superhero’s First Aid Manual. Kids are often the first port of call in medical emergencies, and this book will help them know what to do in those immediate steps. It could be as simple as calling for help to more complex first aid.

Memories of Glasgow

My mum always dreamed that her children would go to the University of Glasgow. Every day we would walk to the newsagents where my dad worked, and my mum would make a detour past the University. She would say to my sister and I, “You will come here one day, and you’ll do medicine”. It’s almost like she manifested this as we both graduated as doctors from UofG!

The University carries such oomph. It’s beautiful to look at and the community is incredible. My mum couldn’t have been happier the day that I got my unconditional through, and I’m just so proud to have been part of it.

I had to work hard to get my degree. Some of my friends seemed to be able to pick things up very easily or just study a few days before an exam, but I really had to work. I also had a really good time, I loved the QM, especially Cheesy Pop! I think the balance of work and play is important.

Professor Matthew Walters was my favourite lecturer. He was so relatable and down to earth, and spoke to us in a way that just made sense. I remember sitting in his lecture for the first time and feeling like I really understood what he was talking about.