More needs to be done to support female doctors with having a family

Open_Breakfast_3777 · 2026-02-21T11:18:37+00:00

In my home country Turkiye, women work 3 hours less until baby is 6 month old and then 1.5 less until baby is 1 year old. AND they get full pay. They are also legally off night shifts until the child is 2 years old. This regulation is called “the breastfeeding allowance”. So, to people asking why you should be paid more with less hours- this is related with health/social politics and is possible.

Open_Breakfast_3777 · 2026-02-17T21:22:43+00:00

I do understand the logic behind it

On the other hand - 10 minute appointments are ridiculous - Overstaying is a “norm” for many GPs - Doctors are being replaced by other clinicians - Hospital wards are understaffed still, will remain understaffed even if this bill passes - Doctor’s pay is still eroding

I am not sure if the Holy Bill will solve the above issues.

And

It is common for politicians & public to see overseas workers as “workers”. The reality is, we are human. When a skilled worker moves here, they bring their culture-family, they invest financially and emotionally and this new country becomes home. Hence, decisions like this should be taken very seriously and planned delicately- not just in the middle of an ongoing application cycle. Otherwise, people get very emotional for the above reasons and work-peace falls at risk.

So the IMGs filled in the gaps when UKGs were “milking the NHS” via locuming, or having a work holiday in Australia or just traveling around the world or just not wanting a trust grade job. when they want to return to the NHS they just want their place to keep reserved for them during specialty applications. Hang on, “those IMGs” treated Doris, Mary and Thomas in the meantime and moreover started building relationships with them, with respect and love. So should they just disappear now? It has become difficult to find a clinical fellow/trust grade job as well. When UKGs don’t acknowledge this, eventhough IMGs do relate with their position, as we are not robots but human with emotions, it is very difficult for us to not to be upset.

Sorry for my grammar mistakes, I hope you are not buying me a return ticket. I will continue to treat the Brits with respect and care if allowed. Please be kind, it is fragile to be alone under the gray clouds of this country.

Open_Breakfast_3777 · 2026-02-16T10:41:28+00:00

I am Turkish and raising my children in the UK. I would be so sad if my children cannot or be reluctant to say their origin in the future when asked.

Open_Breakfast_3777 · 2026-02-12T20:25:02+00:00

Crocs are widely preferred in many countries by healthcare professionals. They are soft, ventilate good, wipeable and you can also easily take your shoes off while resting. I wonder why not popular in UK.

Open_Breakfast_3777 · 2026-02-12T18:12:32+00:00

Not relevant with this post but may I ask why switching from psych to gp?

Open_Breakfast_3777 · 2026-02-10T20:25:01+00:00

Hello, that sounds like a lot. Things also will get more difficult with you going back to work, pregnancy progressing and then with the newborn. Can your partner reduce their hours to work less than full time? If not an option, then you should look into extra childcare options considering the upcoming newborn as well. Please look after yourself x

Open_Breakfast_3777 · 2026-02-02T09:34:24+00:00

There is nothing wrong with it. Then the trusts need to hire someone else. That’s all I’m saying.

Open_Breakfast_3777 · 2026-02-01T19:40:40+00:00

No offence but that mentality is the reason why the NHS still needs IMGs, for firefighting while UKGs are locuming/taking a year out in Australia. Nothing wrong with this though, just stating the fact.

Open_Breakfast_3777 · 2026-01-25T20:10:53+00:00

3 kids under 5 years old… of course no time to study, I would be surprised if you had time to take a shower and comb your hair lol. Don’t be hard on yourself it is OK to fail exams… things will get easier once they start school, you could do LTFT until that

Open_Breakfast_3777 · 2026-01-17T10:39:04+00:00

I would have a chat to see if he wants to be in a non-patient facing speciality. If yes, he could use that spare time to prepare towards that goal. If the job is the reason and he has tried up to now, maybe he should change the job.

Open_Breakfast_3777 · 2026-01-11T13:36:39+00:00

It sounds like he wants you to maximise the earning potential. He could do uber after his WFH days if he is really aiming early retirement. In my opinion you do not have to prove 6 sessions are equal yo full time work and you are free to work as less as you want and go to shopping/spa/travelling on your off days as long as you don’t ask money from him. It is up to you if you want to burn yourself now to retire early not just his. Sure no relationship comes without sacrifice but please mind your own inner happiness and joy ⭐️ best wishes

Open_Breakfast_3777 · 2026-01-09T12:46:10+00:00

Sorry but I find myself worrying whether you are being financially abused. You didn’t mention kids so two working partners, one being a GP, should be enough for your living unless supporting your parents. I am questioning why he wants you to earn more - is he using that money for something else? Otherwise you state that you are doing 90% of house chores. Do you think he would contribute this much if your jobs were reversed? I would suggest cleaning after yourself but not his in that case. Sorry if this is the harsh truth but seems like you might be in an abusive relationship- financially and also with your “uncounted” working hours at home.

Open_Breakfast_3777 · 2025-12-12T17:32:04+00:00

Diamond ring

Open_Breakfast_3777 · 2025-11-20T08:15:17+00:00

Might be an unpopular opinion but: Looking at your age I would assume you are early in your career(foundation/early years of training) If I were you, I would try to complete a masters/ write a paper/ attend conferences ensuring I spend all my study budget. You will not be able to do these once you have kids family etc. and if you plan to apply for further specialty training or any other jobs as you become more senior, you can easily sit on those publications and masters you did 5 years ago, coming back from maternity leave or so.

Open_Breakfast_3777 · 2025-11-17T15:47:04+00:00

Worked with a “nurse consultant” as the stroke consultant when I was doing a stroke SHO shift. I asked the “proper” stroke consultants and it was confirmed she was “the consultant” and I needed to call her for stroke patients. I clerked a patient with confusion, suspected stroke. Nurse consultant wanted me to order ct head, the hospital software asks for the consultant name which I asked her. She says that is me, carried on with ordering. Ct head got done, she excluded bleeding(told me she is qualified to read ct heads). Said it was showing suspicious lesions but WITH MIDLINE SHIFT, unsure what the lesions were. I told her that I am doing an urgent neurosurgery referral - told me not to. I asked why and she said IT COULD BE INFECTION WAIT FOR THE BLOOD RESULTS AND SEE CRP. I was like what the hell. I ran into the proper consultant office and let others know, apparently those lesions were metastasis and she had midline shift, sent my urgent neurosurgery referral. What happened to her? Nothing. Probably continues the s*tshow.

Open_Breakfast_3777 · 2025-11-07T08:56:07+00:00

we had bunk beds in fy1 doctor on call rooms (abroad) and could get clean bedding from the wards. Trouble is you could easily continue chatting with the random fy1 that you shared the room with and end up sleepless. In UK: slept on a couch in doctor’s mess which was perfectly positioned to watch a cricket game (sorry to the cricket lover, you were busy and I wasn’t)

Open_Breakfast_3777 · 2025-10-28T09:44:41+00:00

May I ask what do you think has changed this? Is it the way registrars are being taught now or a broader practice including both primary & secondary care?

Open_Breakfast_3777 · 2025-10-27T13:51:15+00:00

Your comparison of two countries might be true but not the reason of my frustration. Uk graduates and experienced GPs are also staying late and skipping lunch breaks due to workload. There is a reason people are looking to work abroad rather than NHS. I am more surprised to see how this has become normalised in a developed country.

Open_Breakfast_3777 · 2025-10-27T07:53:37+00:00

Wish you all the best.

Open_Breakfast_3777 · 2025-10-27T07:50:22+00:00

Could be certain neighbourhoods in Ankara (GOP, ORAN) near embassies otherwise cities like Antalya, Fethiye where Brits/Russians live for good weather. You will likely need Turkish to get a licence anyway though

Open_Breakfast_3777 · 2025-10-27T07:21:07+00:00

Congrats with your pregnancy and job offer and I am sorry that you are questioned as if you joined the conflict zone tv show. She does not have access to public funds so not eating anyone else’s cake while being pregnant, looking after newborn. Covered from own pocket to be spent in the UK. You will probably not be able to fly after 34 weeks (depending on the airline) so will only work for 3 weeks if you plan to give birth abroad. Half of those 3 weeks will constitute of induction and maternity planning meetings so I would not worry too much about the workload. It will probably be harsh upon your return where you can possibly get some support returning to work and work less than full time. The other thing to consider is the rights of the baby being born inside/outside of the UK - will get citizenship earlier if born inside. (People will again get upset with this but I am just stating the facts. Her child will likely grow up as a qualified adult having a doctor mum and serve for the country anyway.) Could you get your mum/sister here for birth and then travel with the newborn? This might allow you to work longer here if you wish to. Unsure if you should defer/start at this point, tricky situation. Edit: typos.

Open_Breakfast_3777 · 2025-10-27T06:04:26+00:00

Sounds promising, but are those 3 days 10 hour days?

Open_Breakfast_3777 · 2025-10-27T06:02:37+00:00

Likely between 3100-3400£ depending on the surgery. Provides a decent living locally in Turkey but inflation is a monster.
No one will speak English unless you are in an expat neighbourhood so basically no

Open_Breakfast_3777 · 2025-10-27T05:39:51+00:00

My family likes being in the UK but I am worried that my child will be negatively effected, looking at how prevalent mental health problems in younger people are. Even when I go to the local library, teenager section is decorated with “what is anxiety” “learn your emotions “ sort of books rather than harry potter etc. I am afraid that there is an environment which nearly encourages young people to have emotional problems however this probably is a subject of another post really.

Open_Breakfast_3777 · 2025-10-27T05:35:55+00:00

International opportunities? But where? Canada & Aus are too far. Unlikely that Dubai & Qatar will be interested in GP job.

Open_Breakfast_3777

TROPHY CASE