Resident doctors synicsl strike again

My DS is working three 12 hour night shifts this weekend, in A and E please remember if there is a long wait , it's because of understaffing and life threatening incidents you are not aware of . A couple of weeks ago , there were long delays in an and e because a member of the public punched an A and E consultant and other staff and they had to evacuate and call security. The waiting patients were unaware of the events behind the scenes but they did have to wait a long time whilst the Drs recovered .

Then you are in disagreement with the JCQ whose quote that was 🤷‍♀️

I'd just like to thank all medical staff working today while most of us slob around/walk the dog/sleep in. Every single person who gets shunted around every 6 months, with no say on location. Family life ? NHS doesn't care. Every one who works 13+ hour days, often being sworn at/physically abused/told they are a bit useless as they didn't attend one of 5 Unis. Paying ridiculous GMC and exam costs (why do they cost so much when marked by computer ??).

Thank you to the wonderful nursing staff, porters, cleaners etc who all earn more than the F1 today (it's is a good thing they earn more on a BH).

I won't be banging my pot to say thank you. I'll be supporting you on the picket lines and saying thank you whenever I can.

@mumsneedwine
No one here has claimed maths A level should be required for Medicine, and I agree with that. However when one speaks of ‘degree level material’ one generally means ‘post A level material’.

It is misleading to state, as you did at 9.17, that ‘the new version [of maths A level] has quite a lot that used to be degree level’.

Many degree programmes incorporate a review of, or course on, A level mathematics or pieces thereof. Students don’t like to see it categorised that way, so it is glammed up. HTH. I’ve sat on more than enough curriculum committees.

Where has this been said ? You just repeating it doesn't make it true.

The doctors paint themselves to be the “worst” at every given opportunity! It’s a mantra that knows no end @mumsneedwine. All these dc have had a choice of career. They didn’t have to do medicine. They know it’s hard work and they strike and protest too much - they do think they are at the bottom and it’s not true.

So they are comparing like with like .... punishing conditions with better pay ...

Please explain where this has been said. Not ever heard or read doctors being rude about other professions.

PA all these jobs have more than 1 employer do can leave if don't like pay and conditions. Doctors don't have this choice.

No it isn't. If he's a maths professor he'll mainly teach FM level candidates who have also done well on entrance tests. A level maths is not designed for people going on to study at higher level.

Anyway, maths is not needed for medicine.

The whataboutery (& 5 Yorkshiremen for those of us old enough) never ceases to amaze me.

Other jobs are hard too. But it's not a race to be the worst !

Disagreeing with strikes is everyone's right - many residents don't strike as they too don't agree. It's a right that everyone can make up their own minds.

Maths A Level papers are available online, DH is a Russell Group maths professor, and this is categorically false.

@Mischance It does matter in this context. So many doctors think they could have done these other jobs and get paid double. They have entirely rose tinted glasses and don’t look at the big picture or have detailed knowledge of how difficult it is to get those jobs. Way more competitive than being a doctor.

That's because parents see it as a facilitating A level. Doesn't mean they do well in it ! And it's not needed for medicine these days anyway.

This has the flavour of the Monty Python shed sketch. Just because conditions in other professions are also bad does not mean that this is OK.

Indeed. The consultants from my OH's experience have gone and a new tranche with better attitudes are there.
There is a balance to be struck between on the one hand working sufficient hours to gain knowledge/experience and provide the medical cover required, and on the other avoiding burnout and zombie doctors in charge of life critical decisions.
I do not think we are anywhere near achieving that aim yet in spite of the welcome hard-fought-for introduction of humanitarian tweaks to work patterns.
I think it is central to the dissatisfaction.
But I am against the strike. Not something my OH would ever have got involved in.
I am interested in how other countries manage this. Does anyone have experience or knowledge about this?

It’s just my opinion, but I do feel many people are no longer supportive of their ongoing action. Starmer and Streeting have certainly made it clear they will not play the game anymore. Where will intend, who knows, because, be honest, if Labour are refusing to dance to their tune,they have absolutely no hope of getting anywhere with any of the other parties

42.2% of maths A level candidates aged 18 got A or A start in maths last year. It’s hardly the most challenging subject for a sizeable minority. It is also a very popular subject but getting an A in maths doesn’t tell you much about whether someone will be a great doctor!

Thank you for this. It's strange how AAA is not seen as good but offers used to be lower grades due to the difference in exams.

Students who get into medicine need good GCSEs, very good UCAT, the ability to succeed at interviews (designed to weed out purely academic, arrogant and non people students) and get good A levels. They also then need to pass 5 years of rigorous exams, the MLA and PSA before becoming a doctor. I think they prove their worth by the time they qualify.

Maybe if it worries you ask for their A level results before they treat you. Majority will have A stars anyway. Oh and getting an A star in a class of 5 is so much easier than getting an A in a class of 32 (my current year 13). Guess who Unis think is 'brighter'.

When did you last take maths A level ? The new version has quite a lot that used to be degree level.

Again, please quote where I have said any of this. One consultant on here, just one, seems to hate students and residents.

I really wish people would read more carefully and not throw accusations around as it demeans any points made.

A Level Maths is not v v hard by any stretch of the imagination. Grade A/A star is routinely required for admission to many strong degree programmes up and down the country.

Medical School admissions requirements are generally in line with admissions requirements at other Schools in their universities.

I am not a consultant but an academic and a former Russell Group admissions tutor in a STEM subject adjacent to maths. I am very familiar with the maths A level and how much easier it is now than it was in the 1980s.

But it was lower my offer was BBB very standard in the '90s. Now AAA with the A* grade having introduced. Isn't that the same ?