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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think that not all doctors are badly paid - junior ones, yes, but not all?

166 replies

MyAmusedOpalCrab · 25/06/2025 20:53

It’s often said that doctors in the NHS are underpaid but is that really true across the board? Junior doctors, yes, absolutely. But consultants, GPs and some specialists earn six figures. AIBU to think that while the pay structure may be flawed, it’s not accurate to say all doctors are struggling financially?

OP posts:
Annoyeddd · 25/06/2025 21:10

Most junior doctors do a 48 hour week. Their long days and night shifts are effectively 13 hours (hand over at each end of the 12 hours and grab a drink and a butty if you can).

NuffSaidSam · 25/06/2025 21:10

Judging whether someone is 'underpaid' is almost impossible really because what's the benchmark? What are the contributing factors?

Doctors are underpaid compared to premiership footballers, but overpaid compared to carers, for example.

It's very difficult to determine someone's objective worth. I think what they mean is they earn less than they would like and less than they could earn elsewhere (in another country, privately or by changing profession).

SnakesAndArrows · 25/06/2025 21:08

Jellycatspyjamas · 25/06/2025 21:08

Are they claiming to be struggling financially, or do they just want to have the same pay and working conditions they would have if they were in the private sector, or in Australia?

It’s unrealistic to expect public sector pay to be comparable with the private sector in any profession.

Why?

MidnightPatrol · 25/06/2025 21:08

LookingAtMyBhunas · 25/06/2025 21:02

Consultants asked for, and have just been awarded, a 4% pay rise, taking them to between 105k - 135k.
They appear to still not be happy with this and are threatening to strike alongside junior doctors later in the year.

www.independent.co.uk/news/health/doctors-strike-pay-bma-nhs-government-b2773649.html

That's nearly as much as the prime minister ffs.

Show quote history

The prime minister is not paid at all well for what they do - I don’t think that’s a good benchmark to have.

£105-135k is a nice wage but not really exceptional, which given the level of responsibility and training probably feels quite light to them.

SnakesAndArrows · 25/06/2025 21:08

MyAmusedOpalCrab · 25/06/2025 21:03

It’s something I’ve seen implied a lot, especially when blanket statements are made about “doctors being underpaid” without specifying junior doctors. I agree not everyone says it that way but I’ve definitely come across that generalisation. My point was just that the situation isn’t the same across the board and it feels like that gets ignored sometimes.

Show quote history

So you don’t really have a point, do you?

Lots of doctors struggle financially. It’s a fact.

Some doctors earn very well, but most could earn more abroad or in the private sector.

Do you want people who are incredibly skilled to move out of the NHS or move abroad?

Jellycatspyjamas · 25/06/2025 21:08

Are they claiming to be struggling financially, or do they just want to have the same pay and working conditions they would have if they were in the private sector, or in Australia?

It’s unrealistic to expect public sector pay to be comparable with the private sector in any profession.

HomoHeinekenensis · 25/06/2025 21:06

Do you actually know what a 'junior doctor' is OP?

It's a total misnomer and the term should be 'doctor'.

girljulian · 25/06/2025 21:05

LookingAtMyBhunas · 25/06/2025 21:02

Consultants asked for, and have just been awarded, a 4% pay rise, taking them to between 105k - 135k.
They appear to still not be happy with this and are threatening to strike alongside junior doctors later in the year.

www.independent.co.uk/news/health/doctors-strike-pay-bma-nhs-government-b2773649.html

That's nearly as much as the prime minister ffs.

Show quote history

How many hours do they work, though? I was recently under the care of a consultant who saw me sometimes before his surgical work (at 7am) and sometimes after (at 7pm) and he worked Bank Holidays, weekends, all of it. Per hour it probably doesn’t come out to much.

SnakesAndArrows · 25/06/2025 21:05

LookingAtMyBhunas · 25/06/2025 21:02

Consultants asked for, and have just been awarded, a 4% pay rise, taking them to between 105k - 135k.
They appear to still not be happy with this and are threatening to strike alongside junior doctors later in the year.

www.independent.co.uk/news/health/doctors-strike-pay-bma-nhs-government-b2773649.html

That's nearly as much as the prime minister ffs.

Show quote history

Are they claiming to be struggling financially, or do they just want to have the same pay and working conditions they would have if they were in the private sector, or in Australia?

Original poster
MyAmusedOpalCrab · 25/06/2025 21:03

SnakesAndArrows · 25/06/2025 20:57

That’s quite some strawman you have there OP.

Did anyone ever claim that all doctors are struggling financially?

It’s something I’ve seen implied a lot, especially when blanket statements are made about “doctors being underpaid” without specifying junior doctors. I agree not everyone says it that way but I’ve definitely come across that generalisation. My point was just that the situation isn’t the same across the board and it feels like that gets ignored sometimes.

OP posts:
Thistletwo · 25/06/2025 21:03

nahthatsnotforme · 25/06/2025 20:58

For their level of expertise, the responsibility and the importance of their work they are all grossly underpaid imo

ok so a consultant anaesthetist, or urologist or nephrologist. Age 50. How much would be fair?

LookingAtMyBhunas · 25/06/2025 21:02

SnakesAndArrows · 25/06/2025 20:57

That’s quite some strawman you have there OP.

Did anyone ever claim that all doctors are struggling financially?

Consultants asked for, and have just been awarded, a 4% pay rise, taking them to between 105k - 135k.
They appear to still not be happy with this and are threatening to strike alongside junior doctors later in the year.

www.independent.co.uk/news/health/doctors-strike-pay-bma-nhs-government-b2773649.html

That's nearly as much as the prime minister ffs.

MissyB1 · 25/06/2025 21:00

Its not so much about what they are paid, its about whether that equals the level of responsibility and the workload.

MidnightPatrol · 25/06/2025 21:00

They are probably underpaid vs what they could be earning in the private sector in careers that require a similar level of intelligence and study / focus / commitment.

I think that doctors in the regions probably do quite well on average vs cost of living, compared to doctors in eg London.

I would say that there is a more general theme that everyone’s quality of life has decreased somewhat in some regards over the last 20,30,50 years - and that’s in part why so many doctors feel so hard done by.

The big house, private school, ski holidays, single income… doctors were doing that in recent memory, the idea of it now is laughable really. Albeit you can apply that to many professions.

nahthatsnotforme · 25/06/2025 20:58

For their level of expertise, the responsibility and the importance of their work they are all grossly underpaid imo

SnakesAndArrows · 25/06/2025 20:57

That’s quite some strawman you have there OP.

Did anyone ever claim that all doctors are struggling financially?