I can speak as a junior who recently took two weeks off due to "work related
stress".

I was in a job where I felt immensely undervalued and abused by the
consultants, two in particular and another, an otherwise nice chap, who
buried his head in the sand. I had actually just taken leave. When I came
back to the department (not an A and E department, I hasten to add)it was a
shambles; things had not been done for days, patients not seen etc. This was
not due to the "laziness of the SHOs" as one of the consultants would have
had it. We were just very pissed off and very annoyed at the complete lack
of training or support, and, not a dig at nurses, infuriated at trying to
find a nurse on the ward to go round with and who knew what was happening
with any of the patients. If anything went wrong it was always our fault,
apparently.

One of my colleages, a very diligent and caring chap, I had seen become more
and more worked up and he was beginning to miss things. He told me he was
going off on sick leave as directed by occy health.

After I day were I was shouted and sworn at in theatre and had an argument
with another consultant over the telephone, I visted my GP (same day
appointment; I'll never believe "I couldn't get an appointment"). Told him
exactly what was going on; it did not seem to be news to him. I asked for
time off. I thought a week would be reasonable, and, I told him, I had an
exam coming up. He gave me two. **** it, I thought, I'll take them! I passed
part of the exam, I am glad to say.

I never thought that I would end up doing this. I consider myself very
dedicated and I work hard. This was mainly a [lack of] leadership thing from
the consultants, not something I have encountered, at least from
consultants, in A and E. Indeed, I have always felt valued and that the
consultants understand the juniors problems. Reading the list helps me
understand thier problems.

I am glad to say that my new job is working out well. It is not without
problems but the consultants are supportive, they are not the cause of the
problems. I have been provided with positive support and encouragement from
early on. Hence I find myself staying late and not resenting it as much.

I would be interested to see how all more senior people out there interpret
this. You have probably done far worse rotas etc than I have. However, after
meeting the likes of Andrew Hobart I think it very important that we keep an
eye on our own health. If I had stayed another week I dred to think what may
have happened. I was personally not prepared to stay in a job where I was
effectively told that I would not be supported if I made a mistake.

Calling one of the consultants "pig ignorant" to his face just before I left
helped. I will not be asking for a reference in the future.

One of the many reasons I have persisted in wanting to do A and E as a
career is the consultants I have encountered. It goes back to some previous
comments made on the list but I do thing A and E people are amoung the more
progresive, supportive and inclined towards positive leadership amoung the
medical profession.

Stroppy junior or responsible? You tell me.

Andrew Curphey


-----Original Message---
From: The list will be of relevance to all trainees including
undergraduates and [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of iain
jamieson
Sent: Friday, February 23, 2001 11:31 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Chaos in A & E


As to your other thoughts on sickness rates...I think
we may well be seeing the results of destroying the
goodwill of the medical proffession.
IE, I'm not valued then I won't value, and, if I feel
ill, other people take the day off and don't push
themselves, therefore, so will I.
Stands to reason no?
Iain

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