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AIBU?

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Original poster

To be dead frickin proud of our “PM”

142 replies

CilantroChili · 05/04/2020 18:51

Leo Varadkar the Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of the Republic of Ireland has re-registered as a medical doctor and is going to join the ranks of the HSE (healthcare system) to care for Covid patients.

He will do 1 shift per with as well as well... leading the country through this shit-storm.

I’m quite surprised, and pleased for many reasons - but THIS is leadership - wow!!

OP posts:
Inniu · 05/04/2020 19:40

@TheCatInAHat
He is doing phone assessments Of potential Covid patients so I don’t think his 7 years out of practice are as relevant in this context.

Grenoble124 · 05/04/2020 19:40

We need another election. I voted for them anyway but so glad they are leading us through this.

LellyMcKelly · 05/04/2020 19:40

Who gives a shite if it’s a publicity stunt or his skills are out of date? The fact is that he still has far more skills and experience than most of us here and he’s going to use them where they’re needed - now in a major crisis. Even if he is doing phone consultations he’s still doing more than most of us. That’s real leadership. This is not the easy route - he doesn’t have to do this - he’s putting himself at risk to help others. How on earth can anyone snark at that?

Hannah021 · 05/04/2020 19:42

@Inniu there are so many drs and nurses who are being shuffled around and asked to administer things they've never done before. It is not an excuse. He will catch up like everyone else would. Including retired drs who signed up to return.

Beside it is great to see everyone willing to give up their safety and help drs even if it is symbolic... It gives those in the frontlines the mental support they need

OoohTheStatsDontLie · 05/04/2020 19:43

I really dont think anyone would work on a covid ward as a pr stunt, they would last 2 minutes if that was their intention.

Fair play

Also I thought the Irish government actually looked at the rest of Europe and thought what they could learn from it as they started lockdown earlier than the UK with fewer cases. I hope it stops things getting so bad there.

When I saw the thread title I thought you were one of those 'isnt Boris a hero's morons and came on to say YABU but now I've read your post, YANBU!

Fortyquinn · 05/04/2020 19:43

Leo and the 2 Simon's have done very well in this crisis.

Mlou32 · 05/04/2020 19:44

Pity him and his ilk have decimated HSE services over the past few years. The HSE is an absolute shambles.

Frenchw1fe · 05/04/2020 19:44

I wonder if Liam Fox will do the same.
I worked with him briefly many years ago. He liked himself, a lot.

SionnachRua · 05/04/2020 19:46

Leo and the Simons etc are doing very well all things considered. I'm counting myself very lucky to be Irish during all this - not for the first time either. When you look at how some other countries are handling it (looking at the USA and UK in particular) we've done damn well.

1066vegan · 05/04/2020 19:47

Very impressed, especially if it's true that it's been happening quietly for a while and isn't just a publicity stunt.

A number of UK MPs from all parties have also been supporting the NHS by returning to their former roles as nurses or drs.

FrivolousPancake · 05/04/2020 19:48

This whole shit show has made me so proud to be Irish.
Leo, Simon and Tony have been amazing. Compared to the horrendous messing that went on in the UK, ignoring WHO, going on about herd immunity and letting so many get sick and die.

TheCatInAHat · 05/04/2020 19:48

Inniu you’d be surprised. I’m five years off the GPhC register and I wouldn’t be safe doing phone consultations about supportive medicines to help covid patients (equivalent situation). Professions in healthcare are incredibly tightly regulated for a reason.
Possibly a year or so off the register but doing something related, and having kept up to date in relevant skills/knowledge since, but 7 years in an entirely different profession- I’m not so sure.

TealWater · 05/04/2020 19:49

@LellyMcKelly Exactly, some people just have to be negative and tear people down.

I doubt Drs ever lose their medical skills or experience. Not much academically/medically has changed in 7 years. It's like riding a bike.

Crickets · 05/04/2020 19:50

I WAS going to tell you to fuck right off, but I thought you were on about Boris fucking Johnson

Well done Leo

TheCatInAHat · 05/04/2020 19:51

teal that is absolute nonsense.

bellinisurge · 05/04/2020 19:53

Just posted the same on the Boris Johnson MIA thread.
I keep wanting not to like Varadkar and he keeps proving me wrong.

PegasusReturns · 05/04/2020 19:58

@thecat Given in many countries even vaguely qualified HCPs are being diverted into area where they have neither qualifications or experience or being qualified early to provide support I think stepping up - even with “out of date” quals is to be applauded.

WaxOnFeckOff · 05/04/2020 20:00

@WaxOnFeckOff surely she has to resign

@ClareBlue You would have thought so but Sturgeon is supporting her and she is no longer attending briefings and adverts with her are being removed. However, how she has the face to carry on after this I have no idea. Resignation should have been tendered straight away. I suspect she still doesn't think she is in the wrong.

LakieLady · 05/04/2020 20:02

Our local MP is going back to her roots and joining the nursing force

Ours has done the same (may even be the same MP lol), but she does it every now and then apparently, to keep her registration current.

WaxOnFeckOff · 05/04/2020 20:02

My view of Drs isn't great though. A lot of them are arrogant fuckers. Our neighbour is a consultant on care of the elderly wards, they are the worst in the street for following guidelines. His wife is out 2 or 3 times a day and they've had visitors over at least twice, but not for the last week tbf

PigletJohn · 05/04/2020 20:07

You're lucky. If my PM went back to his roots, he is only qualified to be a philandering, lying, second-rate comedian.

We have no need of one.

Donkeytail · 05/04/2020 20:07

Pity him and his ilk have decimated HSE services over the past few years. The HSE is an absolute shambles.

It made me laugh out loud or at least snort that Mlou posted this. Have you nothing better to be doing Mary Lou than slagging Leo off on mumsnet.

ScrimpshawTheSecond · 05/04/2020 20:08

I am impressed. Good on him.

chipsandgin · 05/04/2020 20:11

Oh thank goodness, was concerned someone who had not got their full complement of marbles was posting this about Boris! Yours sounds great though, even if he wasn't doing that at least you aren't being led by a dangerous buffoon with blood on his hands after turning down the opportunity to have 50,000 ventilators only weeks after boasting about shaking hands with Coronavirus patients...

notalwaysalondoner · 05/04/2020 20:14

I do not think this is the best use of his time. As head of the country, his every waking hour should be spent taking expert advice, making painfully difficult decision, and constantly reassessing if we are on the right course.

It’s not like a shortage of doctors is likely to be the limiting factor - much more likely that ventilators and beds run out first.

I have lots of colleagues who are former doctors who are taking unpaid leave to go back to work and I wholly salute them, but I think there are certain key jobs where actually you are more valuable sticking to your current role, and PM is one of them.