On Mon, 28 May 2001, Danny McGeehan wrote:
Regarding morale etc as below - couldn't agree more. And in some hospitals it still happens - when I worked in Winchester (97-99) we had a proper old fashioned mess with the usual lounge/Sky, bar, kitchen, free pool table/footie table and even a weights room. The housekeeper cooked breakfast for us, ironed the housemen's shirts (I kid you not - as long as she liked them of course.), and was generally fab. The mess was THE place to be. Parties fortnightly, footy every week, cricket matches in the Summer, lots of smart dinners which consultants came to as well, even occasional revues.
The problem? Management hated it. They got rid of the housekeeper, tried to ban all parties and wanted to shut the whole place down and move it to an anemic room in some block somewhere.
The concept of good morale among juniors (allowing them to work unpleasant shifts etc without moaning) is utterly alien to the managerial mindset. The NHS will suffer for it.
Giles.
> I think they sat their with the Rugby and Water Polo team sheet and
> would ask candidates what position they played in
>
> Not really sure that the driver for this was the same though ;-)
> Cheers
> --
> Jel Coward
> Actually not a bad way to do it. Most hospitals used to have very active
> sporting activities. When I worked as a registrar in that very fine
> institute mentioned they used to have a medical superintendent. He was in
> charge of the hospital 24 hours a day and was excellent. The thing about
> him was that he made a decision and everyone respected it. Kept the profs
> from sparring. Probably payed about a half of a modern CE's salary and yet
> did the work of about 10 people.
> The person concerned used to walk around and take a paternalistic approach
> to all the new PRHO's and SHO's. His secretary used to make all the
> fixtures for the cricket team and arrange the annual dinner. On Xmas day he
> used to make a punch that was lethal.
> Oh well I'm rambling on but the work was tough but morale was high, a
> message there I think.
> Danny McGeehan
|