Does this conversation sound familiar? Mum: “How’s your training going?” Me: “I’m starting a new job next week.” Mum: “Where’s that, then?” Me: ”Well, I’m not exactly sure.” Mum: ”Are they giving you a pay rise?” Me: “I don’t know yet.” Mum: “Dear me. Well, can you come home for dinner next Saturday?” Me: “I’ll [...]
Posts Tagged ‘BMA’
Moving goalposts
Monday, February 14th, 2011
Happy Handover Week?
Monday, February 7th, 2011It’s that time again – many junior doctors have rotated to new hospitals this week. In amongst all the induction papers and interminable guideline documents to read you should have received your contract – one copy for you and one copy for you to sign and return to your employer. If you haven’t been given [...]
The NHS in stormy seas
Friday, January 28th, 2011The health reforms are big news – it is official. My barometer of when politics has got the attention of the wider public, my little sister, asked me what was happening to the NHS. The publication of the Health and Social Care Bill has made the changes to the NHS look very real. Doctors, nurses [...]
Workforce White Paper reads like an afterthought
Thursday, January 13th, 2011So, the future of our education and training is up for grabs once again. Another round of changes to the way junior doctors work and train is just around the corner thanks to the new education and training consultation. My biggest concern after reading the consultation is that this is a root and branch overhaul [...]
Top 10 issues for Junior Doctors in 2011
Monday, January 10th, 2011Wholesale reforms in the NHS and attacks on our pay will ensure that 2011 is a tempestuous year for junior doctors. In the first post of the new year I have identified some of the issues that lie ahead and signposted links to further information. If you have questions, strong views or just want to [...]
Doctors must not pay the price for financial misjudgements
Friday, December 17th, 2010As many of you are probably aware, last week NHS Employers sent a notice to health service unions announcing that it intends to recommend a two-year freeze on incremental pay progression for NHS staff in England. My reaction, similar to many NHS staff, was a mixture of shock and severe disappointment. Like everyone else in [...]
Echos of MTAS
Monday, December 6th, 2010When I heard the news that changes were being made to the recruitment process for specialty training posts, in the very week the process begins, my heart sank. Weighed down by the history of MTAS it is hard not to be consumed by a wave of pessimism about this year’s recruitment round. The quick guide [...]
Is your mess a right mess?
Friday, November 19th, 2010A good doctors’ mess can be the social hub of the hospital. However the reality is often very different. When I arrived at Chesterfield hospital, for example, the mess was a smelly, dirty room with a few mismatched cups and plates but nothing to put in them. I tried a few simple things, such as [...]
A Foundation for Excellence?
Monday, November 8th, 2010Who remembers their very first on call as a fresh F1- the low-level panic throughout, sweaty palms, just waiting for something to go wrong? Who else recalls making the jump to F2 and being the only doctor on-site for your specialty? I recall a night I did as the surgical F2 when aside from a [...]
Beware of the EWTD carrot trick
Monday, November 1st, 2010In the 15 months since the full implementation of the EWTD, doctors’ working hours have never been far from the headlines. In recent weeks the letters page of the nation’s broadsheets have been filled with missives decrying a clock watching generation of junior doctors. But if you take a step back from the superlatives and [...]