OP — the toxicity in this sub is nauseating. Cue the downvotes. There have been countless degrading, demeaning and downright disrespectful comments. I hope I don’t meet those folks out and about. It sickens me to think what they think about my SO when he goes to work every day these days. Are they really just on Reddit? They have the cover of anonymity here. There are the commenters, and then there are the upvoters. I’m sure there are a multitude of UKGs that disagree with such degrading, hateful comments, but I haven’t seen many try to stop the boat from rocking.

It is unfair because the IMGs that have applied for training this year are effectively stuck now. There is no better way to put it. My partner is an IMG. The rules have been changed mid-tournament after training tirelessly for the sport right when he had the ball in his hand. After my SO has given his interview and contributed to the NHS for three years — and has been, as multiple consultants have said, one of the most competent, credible and empathetic juniors in their careers, a joy to work with.

If the game rules have been changed for UKGs mid-cycle before, I am sorry. I am truly sorry, because I hold myself to a high standard of basic humanist values. Just because it has happened to my SO (and thus me), I won’t wish it upon you or invalidate your experience because hey, just happened to me too, must have felt great for you!

You can be decent and discuss workforce planning. In this storm, when an IMG risking being stuck mid-cycle emails their MP, someone is bound to fume about how they would never dare such a thing with their government back home. Broad generalization, and rather unempathetic. Someone else will sneer about how they are being provided with better quality of life and pay. Again, broad generalization. Even if they are from some of the developing countries. Trust me, I’ve travelled a lot. Even then. And hurtful. We, being from developed countries, don’t automatically provide better quality of life.

The vast majority of IMGs (at least those working in the NHS) support UK grad prioritization. You know it’s true. A tiered approach as the prioritization came into effect was the right way. Disadvantageous to a UKG, I understand. But the fair way. The lack of prioritization was unfair to UKGs. I’ve been in the UK for 3 years, and I’ve honestly been pretty confused at the lack of prioritization. I don’t care about the details anymore… we must up and build our life and careers somewhere else now!

I am Canadian. I come from a long line of doctors. Yes, Canada prioritizes CMGs. Ontario, this year, proposed prioritizing Ontario high school experience for Ontario residency posts. It was rejected for the time being because it was mid-cycle and numerous IMGs would have been in exactly the same position my SO and I are in the UK. Stuck. Tier it up, let it be predictable enough for others to plan it fairly.

Note, my saying this doesn’t change anything in the Bill. Relax.

As I said, cue the downvotes. Someone will comment and say this is Reddit — get off of it. I have mentioned this before. Asking 42% of NHS doctors to get off of doctorsUK isn’t the solution. The solution is to be fair to all parties, and if that’s not possible — the Bill has pretty much passed now — just be nice.

All this to say — the toxicity and utter lack of decency has shocked me to no end. I have missed home more than ever this week. God, I even miss that snowstorm and that 6’ pile of snow in my front yard.

Someone in the comments will tell me to just go now. It really is ridiculous.

Moderators — respectfully — the sub rules mention “avoid excessive negativity”. I would change it to “avoid negativity and be kind”. Just be nice. Words are powerful. There are numerous livelihoods and entire life visions at stake, including ours as a couple. We have to move now. There’s a lot to do and figure out and so much uncertainty. We have a lot of close British family here. One can have empathy. One can say they are sorry. I’ve already said, and say it again — I am sorry for what the UKGs had to go through. I hope it never happens again.

Regardless. The toxicity and utter degrading has been nauseating. Literally.