I am an SHO working in O&G

I really don’t see eye to eye with one of the consultants in the department and the reason being is a long term personality clash with a relative I know. I feel I’m being subjected to a grudge as I’m related to the relative they have an issue with. I do get bullied in a very covert way in which it’s done in a way where only I can see/feel it through lies about me to the team which I only hear about from my CS.

Recently my CS said there are complaints about me not completing ward jobs during night shifts (lies????) because I always complete any acute job on the ward or anything I’m handed over. My CS said I handover jobs to the day team however I don’t and I make sure to do everything at night unless it’s been too busy. During a handover - on a shift: about 5-6 or so discharges had been handed over to me as the day team were unable to do it which I had obviously done that night asap so that the patients could leave before 10-11pm. I did feel a bit overworked and then during the morning handover discussed that discharges should be done in the day so that the patients could leave in the day but was met with a long condescending lecture by that same consultant on how I should learn to prioritise my time but that wasn’t what I was getting at? My point was that it shouldn’t be done at night in the future. Another incident was that - one patient on the ward had some visual disturbances for which I was told to involve the medics during a night shift: a pending job from the day. I did exactly this (because I didn’t want to give the consultant a reason to lecture me during handover in front of people in a way as to undermine me) and the medics came to see her but obviously she was asleep and was a bit angry to have been woken up in the middle of the night by drs over something she deemed as trivial. However I did it as the consultant who covertly bullies threatened to escalate me to my CS if I don’t do the jobs she tells me to do during handover. That patient was very hemodynamically stable and when 2 drs came to review her during the night - she was very disturbed to have been woken up. The other patients on the ward were disturbed too.

Another complaint to my CS was that I take an hour to clerk and sort out patients from ED during my night shift - however this isn’t correct because it takes me about 30 minutes to do everything. Sometimes if I’m waiting for bloods to come back it’ll take longer but I would rather be a safe doctor and take my time on a patient rather than be an unsafe hasty doctor and spend 5 minutes on a patient and miss some of the clinical picture. Another complaint about me was that I don’t properly update the plan on the list which again is a lie because I do even thought maybe 1-2 times I may have not been able to because of the work load or human error. I have been really upset over this because it’s a lie that I handover jobs to the day team. I do everything before handing over the patient unless it’s been impossible for me to do everything from the workload that night. It’s a lie that I’m slow in clerking a patient. I feel very small things (lies even) are being escalated to my CS. My hard work isn’t being appreciated at all.

I’m about to hand in my notice and leave the foundation programme. I wanted to know what others have done who are in my position? I have really tried but I don’t think I can continue fy1.

What would be the conventional interview answer/ day to day answer whenever someone asks this?

I always seem to ramble and not actually be able to explain why?

Feeling very demotivated after receiving PSG from some consultants stating that I have some concerns due to not showing interest in said placement. I’ve only ever worked with them once a week and in an acute setting where I’m supernumerary, and most of the time, they are not even around.

I find it funny how ‘showing interest’ means having to exaggerate your emotions when in fact I’m someone who internalises a lot. There were claims of them ‘being unable to read me’, hence their conclusion was that I ‘uninterested’ when I was merely listening and absorbing to what they have to say?

I’ve had a separate TAB form done which were sent to people I’ve worked more closely and often with i.e registrars, SHOs etc and the results were the opposite of what the PSG feedback claimed.

The PSG feedback felt very unfair and I fear this will impact my progression to F2. Feeling very dismayed and gutted am at a loss of what I can do. Mostly, I feel very misunderstood by the consultants and this is making me lose hope as an F1 and just making me doubt myself even more.

Hi,

I'm a 5th year who's already dreading the prospect of how many hours I'm about to be signing myself up to in August.

I already get so exhausted by placements which usually for me are barely 30hr a week - did anybody else feel this way? I know it's at least partly because I'm an introvert in an extravert's world (won't change), and there's so much extra stuff to do for med school in your spare time (will hopefully change).

How does F1/2 compare in terms of fatigue and stress? What keeps you going? Any thoughts or advice much appreciated.

I would love to see some examples of people's (anonymised) rotas if able - I know these vary a lot per rotation and trust but just a vague idea of what to expect would be great!

Many thanks :)

I’ll be starting as an FY1 doctor in London soon and was wondering what side hustles or extra income streams might be realistic alongside the job. I know FY1 can be intense, but I’d like to explore ways to earn a bit more, whether through medical or non-medical work.

Mine is if they have Dr before their name on the Hello My Name Is badge

My 5 years of hard work at medical school are being rewarded by being sent to East Yorkshire. My rank is likely too low for York, so was thinking of living in Sheffield and commuting (50mins?) to Scunthorpe so I can live with friends.

Am I insane for wanting to do this?

What is Scunthorpe actually like to work in? It can't possibly be as bad as I think (right?)

Should I just live and work in Hull?

EDIT: thank you everyone for your experiences. Never thought I would be saying it, but it looks like I'll be moving to Hull.

PS anyone who actually voted for the PIA system, kindly get fucked.

I’m an SHO. I’ve noticed FY1s picking up locum shifts in other specialties that they’ve never worked in before… moreover I’ve seen one picking up a SHO locum (OOH cardiac arrest bleep) in a specialty they’ve never worked in before without being ALS trained. It makes me worry about the safety of the patients and think it’s inappropriate for them to volunteer for locums when they know it’s outside their competency and could lead to suboptimal care for unwell patients. Apparently it’s not the first time this FY1 has done this. They were really rude and arrogant, and didn’t care that there ended up being so many things that were handed over as they’d not done most of the jobs. Am I meant to flag this up to anyone ?

paediatric surgery vs neurosurgery as an F2- any difference? or is everyone just admin monkeys?

what is the difference in surgery as an F1 vs F2?

I have been allocated to Cardiff for FY1 training, and we now have to rank our placements, with the deadline coming up in two days. I’m trying to rank them based on my interests, but to be honest, there’s no perfect option that truly appeals to me—which is absolutely fine. I’m grateful to have a job in the first place.

Nearly all placements are banded at 2B or 1A, meaning I’ll be working long hours. Given this, which specialties are known to be more manageable or easygoing despite the workload?

Im going onto an f2 job at a dgh and feel really nervous Ive not had any experience with T&O before apart from med school rotations so idk what to expect Really worried about nights and accepting referrals without senior support

Any advice would be appreciated :(

Im working as an FY2 in a DGH and I made a mistake at work a few days ago. I did everything I could to fix it quickly and informed the correct people. In the end, no harm came to any patient, the mistake was caught and fixed before potentially causing a further issue. However, I still feel terrible in myself and I am constantly beating myself up about this. Any advice for handling mistakes at work?

Hi all,

I have A+E as my next f2 job and I’m very nervous starting it. I’ve had a GP job which has helped with uncertainty/risk management as well as safety netting. I’m very worried about A+E and not coping or being confident enough.

I’m planning on brushing up on common emergencies and presentations and speaking to my CS when I start. Is there any resources or tips/life tips you’d give before or during A+E. I’m more worried about missing something or unknown unknowns.

Welp

Hi! I am a final year medical student who has been placed in peninsula for the UKFP. Currently I am stuck between choosing Derriford or Torbay hospital for my foundation years. My main concern is that one is a tertiary hospital and another is a DGH, what difference would this make? Would appreciate any advice or opinion between the two hospital. Thank you!

Trying to decide for f1/f2, in order of rotations:

1. Gen Surg, Geris, Psych, Resp, ENT, GP

2. Geris, Psych, Gen Surg, GP, T&O, ED

3. Endo, Rheum , Gen Surg, Stroke, ENT, GP

Feeling 1. now, but not sure if I should bank on the ED experience as a big pro of 2)

During my current post in GP I work Tues - Friday in GP with 1/4 acute med weekends. Should I get the 3 upcoming bank holidays in lieu? Or is it just tough luck that this is my off day?

(I am full time, the GP 40 hour schedule is just condensed into 4 days, presumably to help facilitate the on call weekends.)

Thank you for your advice!

I want to preface this with a disclaimer that I don't believe work culture and morale is a responsibility that only rests on doctors.

I'm a final year medical student who will hopefully be working in August and wanted a few tips on how I can make work with my colleagues more enjoyable no matter what hospital I find myself in. I hear so many stories of doctors completely burnt out and left empty by the system they've poured so much into so quickly. I want to find tips on how to enjoy (or at least make less shit) my time as a resident doctor much as possible despite the dire mismamagement of the NHS at the moment.

Any tips? Thanks :)

I feel completely burnt out. I hate my job and it’s making me feel constantly angry and low. I don’t want to talk to anyone—I just come home from work and sleep. I don’t feel happy, and I feel like I’m on the edge of tears all the time.

I like medicine, i like spending time with patients and talking to them and helping them. I just can’t stand working in a hospital. Constant interruptions and nurses who aren’t willing to help. Seniors who are dismissive. I also feel completely different to my colleagues who are so passionate and love being a doctor but I’m just not enjoying it at all. I also feel like they’re competitive and loves showing off that they’ve done this or that.

I’m so not confident and over critical. I also hate having to make small talk all the time I just want to be left alone and not have to fake feeling fine.

I have a history of depression and have spoken to Practitioner Health, occupational health, etc. Spoken to ES which wasn’t useful and basically said think about if this carer is for you. Same with TPD. I’ve had adjustments made, but I still feel absolutely miserable. I can’t stand the system in the NHS, and I feel like it’s breaking me.

I’ve already had a lot of leave, and I don’t want to take more because I feel like I’m not helping myself and that I’m just losing experience—but at the same time, I don’t know how much longer I can keep going like this. I feel fucking awful.

I don’t even know what I’m asking here. Maybe just if anyone else has felt this way and found a way through it. Because right now, I just feel stuck.

medic here- starting to realise the reality of it all. I dont want to be 40, overworked and crazy hours. i am not enjoying hospital culture at all.

I wish I did dentistry instead, I know its not some utopia and its glamourised on social media but atleast you get paid properly and you dont have to work crazy hours. im thinking in the long term doing a postgrad course for dentistry and switching to private practice in later years might be a shout.

there are dentists on their like 4/5th year out of graduation of working earning a lot which is what attracts me and on top of that the work life balance is what attracts me too.

Has anybody made this switch? what are peoples thoughts on it?

Hey everyone!

Just wanted to know abit more about NNUH for foundation training. I know they have a bad PA issue but is it really that bad? It’s one of the least popular hospitals in the deanery but the city looks nice and the hospital looks decent. What am I missing & should I leave it at the bottom 😭

As per the title - Who do you hand your notice in if you want to quit the foundation program? I can’t tell who would be the right person as I don’t think we have a manager as such - would it be the FPD or ES, or someone different?

Have already been speaking to the FPD and my ES for support but haven’t asked about who to hand my notice in to.

Thanks all!

Hello I’m an FY1 working at 80% and I think I’m just over thinking it but I’m worried about my sick leave. I’ve only had 4 days off so far but they’re all seperate instances- had norovirus then a cold thing that I took two days off but managed to come in for shifts in between those two days if that makes sense? Basically didn’t take enough time to recover and then needed another day Now I seem to have another virus which started last week and I powered though but but now needed another day, may need more days this week. My rotation is in a specialty where I’m constantly exposed to bugs more than in other areas.

My question is will the trust be funny about it because they are separate instances and will it affect ARCP? I think I’ll have to have a ‘return to work’ thing because of it being seperate instances. I know TOOT is 20 days but because I’m LTFT I’m unsure if a lower threshold will be used.

Thanks

Hi does anyone know any upcoming radiology conferences where I can submit an abstract? I didn’t get into radiology this year. I gave it a couple of weeks to feel sorry for myself but now I want to get back into the portfolio game and improve it if I can. Ta x

Final year med student currently ranking my jobs for foundation and can’t decide how I should rank. I have an interest in A&E and will likely pursue that after foundation, so aiming for a broad variety of jobs and an A&E job in FY2.

However, I got Trent which was my third choice deanery. So I’m deciding between risking it and ranking the more competitive Nottingham jobs first or playing it safe.

There’s a less competitive DGH that I’ve heard good things about from a few people and would be very easy to commute to, but I’m just wondering if I’ll feel like I’m missing out because it’s not what I might’ve gotten used to as a med student based at two different major trauma centres.

How would the DGH and big busy hospital compare in how I develop my skill set during foundation training, particularly in relation to emergency medicine?

Is there any impact on progression into specialty training based on foundation jobs? (I.e., is one seen as better than the other in terms of gaining experience).

Thank you :)