Pulse reporter Caitlin Tilley was awarded the prestigious ‘newcomer of the year’ award at the Medical Journalists’ Association (MJA) awards last night.
Caitlin joined the Pulse team in August 2021, after studying for her master’s in journalism at Goldsmith’s University.
Her winning entry for the gong, which celebrates those who have worked 36 months or fewer in health or medical journalism, showcased her exclusive story on an ambulance service sending a taxi to a GP practice after staff waited nine hours for an ambulance.
The judges said: ‘Caitlin impressed us with her dogged determination to discover the real reason behind the ambulance delays and she clearly has a great eye for a story.
‘She sensed that handover delays were more than the odd unfortunate incident and was tenacious in her approach, amassing all the supporting evidence from a variety of reputable sources, as well as securing strong quotes from key individuals.’
Pulse editor Jaimie Kaffash said: ‘Caitlin has been a shining star in supporting the profession since she joined Pulse in August last year. Her story was typical of her reporting, highlighting scandal within the system.’
Pulse was nominated for two MJA awards, with Jaimie also up for editor of the year.
Jaimie was ‘highly commended’ in the category, where he went head to head with Mail on Sunday health editor Barney Calman.
The MJA shortlisted the two editors based on their two separate GP campaigns launched last year: Pulse’s ‘Building a Better General Practice’ campaign; and Mail on Sunday’s campaign for all GP appointments to be conducted face to face.
Mr Calman’s winning nomination was based on an article series titled ‘What possible justification is there for GPs still refusing to see patients face-to-face?‘, on which the judges said Mr Calman ‘got the balance right’.
It follows a string of recent wins for Pulse, with Jaimie winning ‘editor of the year (business media)’ at the prestigious PPA Awards and Pulse’s deputy news editor Costanza Potter awarded news reporter of the year at the BSME Talent Awards in June.
Pulse also won business publication of the year at the PPA Independent awards last November, with Jaimie winning editor of the year at the same awards. Jaimie also won BSME editor of the year in 2021 and MJA editor of the year for 2020.
At last year’s PPA’s Pulse deputy editor Sofia Lind also won Unsung Hero of the Year for her work during the early stages of the pandemic.
Pulse also won launch of the year for Pulse PCN at the BSME awards in February.
READERS' COMMENTS [1]
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Congratulations to Caitlin! Bendigedig!
Commiserations to Jaimie, who was up against an Establishment bias to play-down the importance of avoiding F2F consultation in general practice when they carry an excessive risk of infection, and are definitely NOT necessary for the majority of patients – for whom a telephone clal could save them the trouble of travelling miles (and up to an hour by bus) to see a GP who may be unable to anser the wuestion, when a telephone call could do the job just as well, probably more quickly, and without the risk of infection.
Some need to be seen and examined, but far from all, and even those that do, would often benefit from preparation and triage such that things are done in the right order – such as investigations!
Keep at it Jaimie. PS Labour Party may need a new Leader – have you thouhgt about joining the TUSC campaign?