DICT8 Plus (new November 2022)

[Whitestar55]

Hi, Here we go again, anyone else set up a new thread yet? Hope to find everyone 🙂

@Gally123 I agree with CC's and Encs: that is how I do it.

@danblack87 I decided to do a bit for Dict8 today but the standard of dictation in my specialties are diabolical so never bothered. I have kept flitting on and listening, but since 8.00am today it has been the worst ever, hence, I have been picking up work elsewhere.......again.

I don't understand how other companies have audible/clear dictation and this company doesn't.

Well that's encouraging danblack87. (I wasn't working today). T pro had come up a little in the last week, to the point where there was enough for me to do, but as it's a holiday in Ireland on Monday I won't expect anything there and hope there's more at Dict8.
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We should all join forces and set up something between us??? x

What sort of thing do you have in mind, Stillgrinding?

@Stillgrinding well we are certainly getting no pay rise anytime soon so may have to take things into our own hands.

@Stillgrinding Would be interesting to see what our options are 🙂

I've still not heard from Dict8 re. the pay rise issue.

@Stillgrinding What do you suggest we collaboratively do?

That would be great, but possibly quite complicated 💻⌨🙂

Morning (or is it afternoon now - phew where has this morning gone?). I have thought about advertising in the BMJ in the past, but I would imagine the advert would be quite expensive. Has anybody ever approached consultants or private practices directly? Is there anything in any contracts we have signed to say we are not allowed to take matters into our own hands? I am also curious to know how much the clients are being charged per line.

I agree it would be a complex matter but surely anything is possible. The only thing really is the security/GDPR aspect that could put the dampener on things.

Personally I'm not sure it would be worth the time and effort, stress and start up costs to go truly freelance in such a labour intensive, low paid industry in a competitive market.

@Whitestar55 : I agree with you -- I am too old and unable to finance a new prospect; plus the security issue is a problem.

Also, so many Trusts are now using voice recognition software (especially Nuance), which seems to be advancing and improving quickly. I was surprised when I did an internet search. Guy's and St Thomas' are one example of a Trust that has adopted this.

@Stillgrinding I used to do a lot of interviewing as part of my role as senior med sec and from past costs (I am going back 9 years here) it will cost a lot to advertise in the BMJ your talking £6,000 upwards. Once I take out the commuting cost/petrol if you drive, clothes for work, lunches, if I work 5 days a week 5-6 hours a day I am virtually earning the same. My daughter freelances (not in in med sec work but creative) and her problem is people not paying you on time or going bust which has happened. It can be exhausting chasing the money. I've seen her frustration. Myself I know the score with home working and I bite the bullet and get on with it. I know if I get fed up with this I'll just go back to the NHS or work for a private practice. I am sure there is a clause against poaching clients if you were introduced to them via Dict8 or Tpro as it is unethical. I do very little for Dict8 now but with Tpro I find them very good to work for and I can make a decent amount each month if I put my mind to it.

How misleading is this? www.msn.com/en-gb/money/other/this-is-what-i-would-do-side-hustle-you-may-not-have-thought-of-pays-36-an-hour/ar-AA179Po8?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=47399f9c0ca1484c806d868908ae5d6a

Have just signed up with a company, medical typing from home. Its similar to Dict8. I am new to this and have a question....
Do you have to inform HMRC about this and register as self-employed and have to pay tax on any money earned? or is it if you just earn over a certain amount?
I am clueless about things like this and the pay is low enough, never mind pay tax on it! It might not be worth my while it have to pay tax.
Any advice appreciated.

@EmilyJ23 you should register with HMRC as self-employed and get a unique identifier number to pay your tax - some companies will want to know this number before they hire you on a contract to ensure that you are properly self-employed. If you still work for a hospital on a "normal" basis and pay tax also with them it may affect your tax code if you are also self-employed. The yearly forms are a pain but if you do not earn much then you will not have to pay tax. NHS secretaries who also work for their consultants on a PP basis also register as self-employed (or should) but the amount of work they do not does not accrue extra tax but they still go through the motions. At the end of the day you do not want to be caught out.

If you earn over £1,000 you need to complete a HMRC self assessment tax form. I have done my first one this year.

The first two figures I got back that I owed in tax from HMRC were wrong. I ended up ringing them just this morning, hanging on for 59 minutes!! and the figures were wrong from their end and have been re-hashed. The form is a pain in the backside to complete!!

The personal allowance is currently £12,570 so if you earn above this, including in a PAYE job such as in the NHS, you will be liable for tax. Even if you earn below this you still need register as self employed and fill in a tax return each year. It's a pain but better to be upfront with everything then you won't get into difficulties. I pay someone to do mine and it's more than worth it for peace of mind and his fee is tax deductible.

Tumbleweeds been rolling past today - no surprise with T pro because of the BH but not a sausage on Dict8 either. Roll on tomorrow.

@EmilyJ23 remember also to keep receipts for anything related to work so you can offset it against yr tax eg, office chair, foot pedal, headphones, fan, to name a few items.

@Whitestar55 clicked on yr link I have no words 🤣🤣🤣 lot of unhappy new transcribers out there if they fell for this.

@Furnessgal - I follow HMRC on Twitter - any problems then you can contact that way and so far I have always got things sorted quite easily, much better than phoning. Also via Facebook DM as well.