I am a Junior Doctor about to go on strike, ask me anything.

[Lauralaaaa]

I am a Foundation year 1 doctor who started in the NHS in August. I have been reading some things online and have seen some quite differing opinions. I wondered if anyone had any questions.

No questions, but just wanted to say good luck in the negotiations.

I'd just like to say thank you for all that you do. I support your strike. xx

@Lauralaaaa I’m wondering if there’s a debate now in the UK in general on how privatization of the NHS had messed it all
up. Now live in a European country where health sector is almost wholly state owned and run. Far from perfect but it’s better. I spend some time trying to understand the NHS and the structure with trusts and boards and various organizations is just so dysfunctional. A shit system has been created where the front line workers are struggling and patients aren’t getting sufficient care in many cases (not due to doctors and nurses and other doesn’t like workers obvs). It doesn’t have to be this way, but it’s portrayed as if the current situation is an unfortunate, unavoidable problem, but it’s a structural issue.

100% support all the strikers. Me and DH are in the police. DH has been doing 10 hour days for the last 3 weeks, 6 days a week. Yesterday he worked from 5am to 2am and had to be back in at 8 this morning. He got told at 3 that he needs to stay on again today as the prisoner he was meant to interview yesterday delayed things by swallowing a bottle of methadone, so will not be released from hospital until 6pm this evening.

We can’t strike, but people just have no idea how horrific it is in public services under the Tories. No one signed up for how we’re being used now, no one. People saying ‘well, you knew what you were going in for’ are fucking clueless, selfish and entitled. It’s so sad the people with the vocation to help others are treated so shabbily. Qualify, and go abroad, OP. UK doesn’t deserve you.

Just wanted to show my support, thank you for everything you do.

No questions but your answers have been very interesting and enlightening.

Thank you to you and your colleagues, 100% support for the strikes 💙

Hi OP

I left Medicine 5 years after qualifying for all the reasons doctors are striking (except money, I was ok with the money!).

I completely back the strikes and hope changes are made which helps those on the edge of leaving, like I was for 2 years before eventually hanging up my stethoscope, and retain doctors for the NHS.

Best of luck.
And remember that if you find yourself really unhappy, that you are worth more than your job, and there are always other options 💗

I don't have a question but just wanted to send solidarity from a striking teacher. We are honoured to be striking with you on the 15th, and sincerely hope that the government can recognise the importance of your service.

Where would you like to specialise eventually?

I support all NHS worker strikes 💙. Good luck 🤞.

What the longest amount of hours you have worked in a day? Do you ever stay back after you finish time ?

how many hours is your working week?

what is your take home salary a week?

do you want to strike ?

will any of your f1 friends be working?

Do you feel that your strike action is supported by more senior doctors? I ask because I wonder if there is that general feeling that each younger generation has it easier going on or if they get it?

I worked in the NHS when the junior doctors hours were reduced massively and I guess these trainees will now be consultants etc. So they had it rough in their own way. I’m wondering how they perceive this action?

Personally, I believe the answer is in more doctors but for that you do need T&C that attract them.

thank you

I'll be back with questions but wanted to say I fully support the strike action.

How worried do you think patients should be about the strike?

I support your strike; my DD is a Med Student, and she's going into it with her eyes open. She loves the work, but the constant uphill struggle against the broken system that the qualified doctors and nurses face is brutal.

I do wish the term 'Junior Doctor' would be changed. Once people have completed their F1 + F2 they are qualified doctors and should be called such (even if they are 'junior' in their specialism). I think a large chunk of the public don't realise that you can be a 'Junior' doctor for decades!

@Lauralaaaa firstly, you say that "we" have tried to talk to government and they have refused to speak with us". Is the "we" the BMA which is effectively the Dr's Union? Have you personally written to your constituency MP to set out your experiences? How many of your colleagues have done so?

Secondly in relation to a previous posters exhortation ti pay no attention to me because once an HCP used my first name. Bearing in mind the amount of money and emphasis the NHS spends and puts on equality, do you not think that men and women in hospitals shoukd be addressed equally. For example if HCPs afford male patients the courtesy of a title, they should always address women with the same courtesy.

Similar to the above, if a Dr introduces themselves with their title and surname, do you not believe they should have the courtesy to address their patient with the same level if respect rather than assume they may use the patient's first name. AFAIAC they may not because the patient shoukd be an equal stakeholder in their care.

Finally, what would be wrong with introducing a continental system of heslthcare as in France, Germany, Austria, etc. My experiences in those countries has been head and shoulders above the NHS.

You have my support OP and although pay is an issue I think you’re right to focus on the conditions. I don’t think fair pay can be worked out until working conditions are reasonable.

What are your thoughts on student loan write offs in exchange for years of service. To me it seems like a fairly obvious retention strategy that the government isn’t considering. If you had say 5k written off for each year of service? Drs would still therefore contribute to paying off their loans but for a much shorter period - probably the first 10-15 years of career.

I’m staggered at the starting salary, I do a very unimportant job that doesn’t have much responsibility and earn more. I can’t imagine the stress and anxiety you are under day to day and it just doesn’t seem appropriate to be recompensed so poorly. Over the past few years I’ve been treated by some incredible medics, midwives and nurses and I honestly have so much respect for you all, you are all literal angels so it goes without saying I support strike action 100%.

Adding another person's support to the strike. A family member is a doctor and I see how very hard they work and how impossible the system is. We need rid of this Tory government for anything to change for the better.

No questions, but a heart felt thank you for sticking around to try to get this country out of the mess it's currently in.

I support all workers who are striking for an inflation proof rise. Inflation that they clearly didn't cause.

Bearing in mind the amount of money and emphasis the NHS spends and puts on equality, do you not think that men and women in hospitals shoukd be addressed equally. For example if HCPs afford male patients the courtesy of a title, they should always address women with the same courtesy.

Oh fgs! My 91 year old mother has been in hospital for 4 weeks now and the junior doctor I've been dealing with has been bloody awesome. He can call me a turnip for all I care. Do you honestly have nothing more important to worry about?

OP, I support the strike 100%. You and your colleagues are wonderful.

@LaDoIceVita I 100% believe there would be better care for all if there were equality for all in the UK NHS and if every patient were regarded as an equal stakeholder and every nurse as as equally important participant in care.

@DaisyCornflowerBlue thank you for the question. I think I’m going to go for psychiatry. It’s the only job along with GP that seems to have any work life balance and flexibility. Also think it’s a growing sector and so interesting.

@RosesAndHellebores I was referring to the BMA there yes, not sure how writing to the MP would change that, I don’t really trust them.

I personally introduce myself as Laura and usually my patients by their last name because I agree in some ways it is outdated. I agree equality is very important.

I haven’t fully looked into the systems in other countries but I have heard they are better. Would be interested to know more.

Not read the thread. Just here to say MASSIVE SOLIDARITY and thank you for taking a stand for all of us 💪🏼💪🏼

@Hollyhead thank you! I think that probably would make people stay in the NHS for longer. I like it. I guess it wouldn’t fix the root issue though. But a start for sure!