How blinkered managers are driving experienced doctors away from the NHS
SIR – One reason for the early retirement of front-line medical staff from the NHS (Letters, November 6) is the intransigence of management over the rationalising of the workload for senior staff, especially the emergency out-of-hours workload.
I retired at 62 from my position as a consultant surgeon primarily because there was no means of carrying on working other than by continuing on the on-call rota, in addition to planned care. I would be woken after a couple of hours’ sleep by a phone call at 2am demanding an immediate return to work to deal with patients in mortal danger from stabbing, bleeding or bowel perforation. This was physically and mentally debilitating.
In my last week of on-call work I was summoned after midnight on three consecutive nights, having worked the whole of the previous day and into the evening. The only relief was to leave the service, as withdrawing from the emergency out-of-hours service was not allowed.
I have no doubt been replaced by a fully trained surgeon, but one without my 30 years of senior experience. Perhaps the fact that they will start at the bottom of the salary scale – a significant saving on my leaving salary – explains the unwillingness to allow senior staff relief from the out-of-hours workload, but such intransigence will only promote a continued exodus of experienced, senior staff.
David Hemingway
Leicester
SIR – I saw an ear, nose and throat consultant in April, who recommended a new hearing aid and sent an urgent message to the audiology department.
Having heard nothing after several weeks, I telephoned audiology, to be told that all cases are urgent.
Colin Davies
Carlisle, Cumbria
SIR – Historically there have been two ways to access healthcare. You can either use the NHS or the private sector. There is now, however, a third way (“Growing dissatisfaction with NHS pushes demand for private GPs”, report, November 6).
First you consult a private GP. If they advise further investigation, there are increasing numbers of providers who, often without a referral, offer scans and tests. For example, an ultrasound scan costs £145 – unless you have a voucher code for 20 per cent off – and can often be done the next day. A computerised tomography scan costs £350. One no longer has to worry for weeks about the possibility of cancer.
After the investigations are complete you may either be reassured that all is well or you can rejoin the NHS system armed with a portfolio of tests and scans while others are still waiting for a GP appointment.
Dr Michael Pegg
Esher, Surrey