Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think people are very quick to forget the pandemic

304 replies

BelleMarionette · 12/03/2023 19:19

Myself, and other junior doctors, worked hard on the covid wards, in appalling conditions. We didn't have decent PPE, and often had little to no relevant experience or training, as many were redeployed with little notice (in my case, 36 hours). Almost all of of us became sick, some very seriously so, and some even died. Many more were left struggling with our own mental health, suffering from PTSD, anxiety and depression.

We are now striking, due to pay erosion over the past 15 years. In real terms its around a 30% pay cut. It's difficult to live on what we are be being paid, especially with families to support.

I have seen an awful lot of negative comments about junior doctors on another thread. Aibu to think the public has been very quick to forget our contribution during the pandemic?

I would dearly love to be wrong and see support

OP posts:
Botw1 · 12/03/2023 19:22

You're only noticing this now?

Werent those claps enough?

Moonicorn · 12/03/2023 19:23

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

KievsOutTheOven · 12/03/2023 19:24

You are not wrong.

I support the junior doctors strike.

Us teachers were in a similar position with a similar pay erosion and thankfully, our strikes had the desired effect. We didn’t get exactly what we wanted but it should still help somewhat.

Although this is going to turn into a shitshow.

Good luck!

HappiestSleeping · 12/03/2023 19:25

I think a good many people don't realise that Covid is still a thing. And a very serious one at that.

Having had recent experience of the NHS for one reason or another, I'm pretty sure it is being held together by people such as yourself who do much more than the masses would know.

It's a tragedy that successive governments have let it get to the state we are in currently, but that is the problem with the current political system. It will be a decade long reform plan and any government is only interested in what happens until the next general election unfortunately.

That, brexit, pandemic, Ukraine, it compounds.

I don't know how many in the NHS keep going, it sure as shit isn't for the money.

Moonicorn · 12/03/2023 19:26

Anyway. YANBU, I don’t think doctors in general are paid enough. But the reality is neither are police officers, fire fighters, nurses… I could go on. Basically all public services workers. People who work with kids with SEN who get kicked and punched every day.

crossstitchingnana · 12/03/2023 19:28

I read a BBC article today that said junior doctors are looking at the RPI and not the CPI which is more accurate. Also, once qualified they are up there with the highest earners - especially if they eventually make consultant.

Also, the government say "if there's money for pay rises then junior doctors are back of the queue.

Badbadbunny · 12/03/2023 19:28

What about all the other essential workers though? Supermarkets, food factories, schools, etc were all still operating in similar "dangerous" conditions. Lots of non medical staff also caught covid at work, many became ill, some died! What about them who are mostly on a fraction of a doctor's wage? You can't start saying doctors deserve a pay rise because of covid, when so many other workers havn't had a payrise at all, let alone an inflation busting one!

HubertTheGoat · 12/03/2023 19:29

I agree with you. Clearly doctors aren't paid enough because they are leaving in droves. The argument that you are not paid enough to live on though does not help. As a trainee GP, my brother earned in 3 days what I earned in 5 as a teacher and since qualifying has (rightly) had a huge payrise. I earn thousands and thousands less and certainly have enough to live on.

Original poster
BelleMarionette · 12/03/2023 19:30

crossstitchingnana · 12/03/2023 19:28

I read a BBC article today that said junior doctors are looking at the RPI and not the CPI which is more accurate. Also, once qualified they are up there with the highest earners - especially if they eventually make consultant.

Also, the government say "if there's money for pay rises then junior doctors are back of the queue.

CPI doesn't take into account housing, which is the biggest cost for most. I've read that BBC article, and it was clearly written by someone with an agenda.

Junior doctors are qualified. Not all will become consultants.

OP posts:
DappledThings · 12/03/2023 19:34

I'm neither. I don't really think about covid much so I suppose I have something of forgotten it, but I still totally support the strike for all the other work and reasons unrelated to covid.

You are being U to say "myself" when you mean "I".

Original poster
BelleMarionette · 12/03/2023 19:34

Badbadbunny · 12/03/2023 19:28

What about all the other essential workers though? Supermarkets, food factories, schools, etc were all still operating in similar "dangerous" conditions. Lots of non medical staff also caught covid at work, many became ill, some died! What about them who are mostly on a fraction of a doctor's wage? You can't start saying doctors deserve a pay rise because of covid, when so many other workers havn't had a payrise at all, let alone an inflation busting one!

None of those jobs were as dangerous, due to less exposure. It is obvious that those who were working on wards full of covid patients, with less PPE than a dinner lady, and often participating in aerosol generating procedures, were the most at risk. Obviously, the above jobs are important, but it's like comparing apples and oranges.

OP posts:
cornflakegeneration · 12/03/2023 19:34

I will always support junior doctors and I believe you should be paid a lot more than you are.

Not seen the other thread but there are people all over mumsnet (the Internet in general) who have some bonkers and extremely old fashioned views on many different subjects.

Try not to take it to heart - lots of us stand with you 💪🏻 xx

ChungusBoi · 12/03/2023 19:37

I agree, people soon forget.

I support junior doctors and others who need better pay. It need not be a race to the bottom.

SunshineGeorgie · 12/03/2023 19:44

What about retail staff who worked through it too?

Where is the pay rise for them? Why aren't they striking too?

sittingonacornflake · 12/03/2023 19:46

I support you. For what it's worth.

KievsOutTheOven · 12/03/2023 19:47

SunshineGeorgie · 12/03/2023 19:44

What about retail staff who worked through it too?

Where is the pay rise for them? Why aren't they striking too?

Retail staff are entitled to join a union and strike. I don’t get why this comes up constantly.

Rockchick1984 · 12/03/2023 19:48

YABU simply for saying that it’s difficult to live on what you are being paid, when even your starting salary is significantly more than many will ever hope to earn!

kitcat15 · 12/03/2023 19:50

SunshineGeorgie · 12/03/2023 19:44

What about retail staff who worked through it too?

Where is the pay rise for them? Why aren't they striking too?

Because very few are in a union

SunshineGeorgie · 12/03/2023 19:50

It comes up when we bring it up @KievsOutTheOven

You don't have to 'get' it

KievsOutTheOven · 12/03/2023 19:51

Rockchick1984 · 12/03/2023 19:48

YABU simply for saying that it’s difficult to live on what you are being paid, when even your starting salary is significantly more than many will ever hope to earn!

Their salary is reflective of the sacrifices they make when training to become a doctor, and their skill level.

The benefit to them of this hard work is being eroded by the fact their pay is dropping in real terms.

Anyone is welcome to train as a doctor themselves.

(I’m not a doctor)

Twinedpeaks · 12/03/2023 19:53

None of those jobs were as dangerous, due to less exposure. It is obvious that those who were working on wards full of covid patients, with less PPE than a dinner lady, and often participating in aerosol generating procedures, were the most at risk. Obviously, the above jobs are important, but it's like comparing apples and oranges.

But couldn't that argument be used to say only those who worked on covid wards, or in trusts with the worse PPE get a part rise?

KievsOutTheOven · 12/03/2023 19:53

SunshineGeorgie · 12/03/2023 19:50

It comes up when we bring it up @KievsOutTheOven

You don't have to 'get' it

If you want a pay rise; be proactive about it like the striking workers have been. Anyone can join a union. Anyone can strike.

Theluggage15 · 12/03/2023 19:55

Loads of people did difficult jobs for less praise and less pay and with less protection. Care workers for one.And many people in the NHS weren’t working in covid wards anyway. Stop putting yourself above everyone else.

Rockchick1984 · 12/03/2023 19:55

KievsOutTheOven · 12/03/2023 19:51

Their salary is reflective of the sacrifices they make when training to become a doctor, and their skill level.

The benefit to them of this hard work is being eroded by the fact their pay is dropping in real terms.

Anyone is welcome to train as a doctor themselves.

(I’m not a doctor)

Show quote history

I understand that, however none of that is relevant to what I said?

cardibach · 12/03/2023 19:57

Badbadbunny · 12/03/2023 19:28

What about all the other essential workers though? Supermarkets, food factories, schools, etc were all still operating in similar "dangerous" conditions. Lots of non medical staff also caught covid at work, many became ill, some died! What about them who are mostly on a fraction of a doctor's wage? You can't start saying doctors deserve a pay rise because of covid, when so many other workers havn't had a payrise at all, let alone an inflation busting one!

All workers should have pay rises that at a bare minimum match inflation.