Women of the HSMA: Dr Catrin Bevan

To mark International Women’s Day 2022, we are celebrating the women of the HSMA. Each day we will be publishing a Q&A with one of the remarkable women who make up our vibrant community of healthcare specialists. Meet Dr Catrin Bevan, a general practitioner at The London General Practice.

Tell us about your role at the practice.
I look after all age groups, from babies to geriatrics. My speciality is in women’s health and many of my patients are menopausal. I also do preventative medicine screening for cancers and other chronic diseases.

Who are the women who have inspired you the most?
I wanted to be a doctor from when I was a child. My mother was a nurse and my father a vet. Their devotion to caring for humans and animals influenced me and has made me the person I am today.

Do you have any advice for other women looking to follow a career in healthcare?
Aim as high as you can and follow your passion. Don’t let anyone tell you that you are not clever enough to be a doctor, surgeon, scientist or nurse.

As a woman, what are the biggest challenges you have faced along the way?
When I went to medical school only 20% of my intake were women. Now it is at least half.  There are still challenges for women, especially in hospital medicine, where some of the specialities are difficult to combine with family life. However, great progress has been made. I am encouraged by the wonderful female specialists we now have.

This year’s International Women’s Day theme is #BreakTheBias. What does this mean to you? 
We are living in a time of great change and opportunity, working towards a gender equal world that hopefully one day will be free of bias. We can all play a part at home and at work to ensure that this happens bit by bit.