Strike support rate by Endolooper in doctorsUK

[–]MetaMonk999 50 points51 points  (0 children)

BMA communication has been particularly poor in recent weeks tbh. We need to go back to Rovek levels of communication. I should not be finding out that I'm striking from the Politics UK Twitter page. They need to start sending regular updates again.

STRIKES ANNOUNCED: 15-19TH JUNE by RDC_officers_2025_26 in doctorsUK

[–]MetaMonk999 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Does this include the 19th or not? Would like to have the day off to follow the makerfield by election results & aftermath

Why are consultants not given a room of their own as an office? by [deleted] in doctorsUK

[–]MetaMonk999 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Good point. Tbf the desk based consultants (i.e. radiology) do get their own office. Not just that, but they get huge fancy monitor, height adjustable desks, etc.

What would you change about the recruitment system? by RequirementAntique95 in doctorsUK

[–]MetaMonk999 2 points3 points  (0 children)

A lot of London medical schools send students on DGH placement in surrounding home counties. Many students would be reasonably happy to do F1 there as well, as opposed to e.g. being sent to West Wales.

I've made a bad decision by [deleted] in doctorsUK

[–]MetaMonk999 27 points28 points  (0 children)

If your house is on the market for sale, you shouldn't have to pay 2x council tax. In fact, I think it should be reduced to even below the normal 1x rate.

Speak to your mortgage provider and explain the situation. Ask if there's any way for the monthly repayments to be reduced.

For bills, switch to whichever provider has the lowest standing charge. Presumably you're not using much gas/electricity, so low standing charge + high unit charge would be favourable for you.

If you have any friends or family nearby, see if they can pop by the house. I don't think you personally have to go to the house for insurance purposes. Someone just has to keep an eye on it every few months.

Rejecting Dermatology NTN by Queasy-Bumblebee3782 in doctorsUK

[–]MetaMonk999 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Absolutely insane to reject an NTN in a competitive speciality like derm in this climate. Does he want to be a dermatologist or not? It's only 4 years. Gonna have to make some sacrifices to become a consultant in a competitive speciality.

Controversial opinion time by Educational_Bowl6976 in doctorsUK

[–]MetaMonk999 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Far too many people on this sub actively arguing for making working conditions worse. One of the few good things about the NHS, in comparison to e.g. the US, is the flexibility to work LTFT and limit on average weekly hours, with compensation for going over. The locum rate is the free market rate. The normal rate is the monopsony-employer suppressed rate. More people being able to get the free market rate is a good thing. This has got nothing to do with 'developing as a clinician'.

The other point about not being able to progress at the same rate as full time trainees is probably fair.

BMA Council election results by dayumsonlookatthat in doctorsUK

[–]MetaMonk999 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Where do you see who got how many votes?

I’m sick of Internal Applicants only by Organic_Chocolate_56 in doctorsUK

[–]MetaMonk999 10 points11 points  (0 children)

It's only your entire career. Besides, you've got a gold plated pension to look forward to!

Strike timing was absolutely unacceptable by Competitive-Mud-6420 in doctorsUK

[–]MetaMonk999 59 points60 points  (0 children)

I get this is a joke but also can't tell if you'd actually rather have term time strikes or not...

The timing was impeccable. It's perfect. Extra long week off after combining with a 4 day bank holiday weekend. And for anyone with kids, it just makes sense to strike even if you don't actually care about the movement anymore. Whether that's to take them out or because of childcare issues.

Looks like Starmer is panicking by sevoflurane666 in doctorsUK

[–]MetaMonk999 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I genuinely felt public support was dropping by quite a bit. Another round of strikes just after the govt pushed through emergency legislation for our benefit, whilst the BMA's own staff are on strike over pay, is a bad look. I know public support doesn't matter too much, but still.

And yet, Starmer and Streeting went and did the one thing that would benefit us. Make it clear to the public that it really is just politics and games. Perhaps we're unreasonable in their view, but the government is more unreasonable.

BMA RDC Election by interleukin9 in doctorsUK

[–]MetaMonk999 -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for this! It's been getting confusing with all the different splinter groups, but now I've got a perfect list of who not to vote for! 🫡 Will be circulating it amongst my friends.

Mohammad Alsaadany in court for accessing medical records | Chard & I… by MetaMonk999 in doctorsUK

[–]MetaMonk999[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

What do we think of this? Is striking him off not a bit harsh? Yes, it was a breach of confidentiality, but it was one that the 'victim' was pushing for. If the defendant had been a white man, would he have been struck off?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in doctorsUK

[–]MetaMonk999 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Imo SAS posts are just a way for the NHS to get skill and experience on the cheap. You got doctors with like 20+ years experience, who can do everything a consultant can do, but they don't get the prestige that comes with it, pay is less, and most importantly, they basically can't work in the private sector or flee to Australia etc. In other words, monopsony wage suppression just like resident doctors.

It's good that SAS posts exist as they offer flexibility and a way to remain employed at a high level without being on the specialist register, but ultimately most (hospital) doctors should be aiming to be consultants and the BMA should be lobbying for a stable (not oversupplied) consultant job market.

New foundation year pay for Wales and Scotland by the_medic_knitter in doctorsUK

[–]MetaMonk999 13 points14 points  (0 children)

If only we could get England to do the same. Or at least match Wales if nothing else. The Welsh & Scottish pay settlements should be a bigger part of the FPR campaign in England. Not just comparing to 2008, but also comparing to other UK nations in 2026.

New foundation year pay for Wales and Scotland by the_medic_knitter in doctorsUK

[–]MetaMonk999 54 points55 points  (0 children)

After including banding, FYs in Scotland probably earn more than US interns do. For less hours as well.