Working life: Prof Clodagh O’Gorman, Professor of Paediatrics, UL

6.30am

Fortunately, my husband Alan is a hands-on dad, so he helps navigate the morning chaos before the childminder arrives and I depart for work.

8.15am

My time is divided between University Hospital Limerick and UL.

I head to the hospital first where I check on my inpatients. I then head to clinic.

I’m a consultant paediatrician with a special interest in diabetes and endocrinology, so I run different clinics on different days.

Tuesday is diabetes clinic and it’s very busy at the moment.

Afterwards I sit down with the dieticians and the diabetes nurse specialist and we make plans for outpatients who need insulin pumps.

11am

I run an endocrine clinic twice a week where I treat children with hormonal imbalances which can cause metabolic disorders, thyroid disease, obesity.

Every now and then, I also hold a general clinic for kids who don’t necessarily have hormone problems but who end up being admitted under my care when I am on-call.

1pm

If I have time for lunch, it’s usually at my desk while answering emails or doing dictation.

2.30pm

The clinic finishes and I have an hour-long multi disciplinary team meeting before heading back on the wards to check on inpatients while also teaching my students.

My involvement with the medical school means I regularly have students at the bedside, getting hands-on experience.

They also sit in on clinics and it’s good for us all — it keeps me on my toes and it keeps them engaged and learning.

4.30pm

I head back to UL for a team research meeting. I check my emails at the end of the day in case there are any fires that need putting out!

7pm

I aim to be home in time for bedtime stories. Then it’s time to start over again, getting uniforms ready for the next day, before sitting down to catch up with my husband over a cup of tea.

Evenings are also spent catching up with the latest research, working on grant applications and reviewing manuscripts or preparing lectures. Alternatively, if the weather is good I try to get out for a quick jog.

Professor Clodagh O’Gorman, Foundation Chair and Professor of Paediatrics, Graduate Entry Medical School, University of Limerick (UL).