Dr Conor O'Neill
Conor grew up in the north of Ireland and ventured over the Irish Sea to undertake his medical studies in Edinburgh. Here, an interest in the social determinants of health was instilled within him and he founded a charitable organisation which facilitated social development projects with children and adolescents in partnership with an existing Mongolian NGO. On graduating, he made the move across the central belt and spent his foundation years working in Glasgow. The realities of clinical practice burgeoned an interest in better understanding how those from different cultures, communities and backgrounds perceive health and the importance of the role healthcare professionals have in ensuring equitable access and delivery of healthcare as a result.
After taking some time to travel around the States, he returned home to Ireland to volunteer for the Together for Yes campaign in Ireland. Keen to build on his practical experiences and growing interest in the intersection of the place of politics, society and culture within health, Conor enrolled in an MA part-time in Philosophy, Politics and Economics of Health at UCL and worked part-time in a paediatric ED. During these two years, he also undertook an internship in the Cultural Contexts of Health group at the World Health Organisation in Copenhagen. On returning to the UK, he completed his Masters with Distinction and decided to formally enter paediatric training in South London with a particular interest in adolescent medicine and mental health.
Reason for applying for the scheme
Conor felt the opportunities offered by the NMD’s Clinical Fellow scheme seemed like the perfect way to build on the skills gained from his Masters. He hopes to gain practical experience to better understand the complex interplay of competing narratives and interests within the delivery of good quality healthcare.His time at the WHO gave him insight into the importance of the complex links between society, culture and health. Having seen how better understandings of this relationship through research can provide more effective and innovative health policy and outcomes, he hopes that this may prove useful during his role at the Health Select Committee and the National Audit Office.
Conor aims to broaden his knowledge of how wider healthcare and relating policy ought to be conceptualised and implemented in this country and gain further leadership skills for his future career.
