time off.

[Kay]

I rang up my surgery this morning to make an appt to see our usual gp only to be told that he's on a months leave as his wife has had a baby.I had to go to the other practise which is 25 mins by bus. Is there really any need for a male GP to take a whole month off when they themselves complain about being overloaded,short staffed etc. My hubby did'nt take a month off when I had our babies and he works 12 hours shifts.He took 3 days off on each.

[kick3m0n]

sorry, can't agree with you.  Of course he should take a month off if he's entitled to it, his profession doesn't come into it.  Infact, maybe he should take it espcecially since, as you point out, doctors are so very busy when they are at work.  I think every family that can afford it, should take paternity leave, and it should be made easier for those who can't afford it (ie paternity pay).  My partner took 2 weeks paternity leave, and 2 weeks holiday, and it was absolutely fantastic having him around for those precious first few weeks.  Sorry to hear your partner didn't do likewise, but I guess either you couldn't do it financially, or chose not to.

[OBonio]

I'm taking 1 week paternity and 2 weeks annual leave. Couldn't think of anything better than spending 3 weeks solid with my first born. When compared to work.... come on!!! No comparison.

[natalie_1982]

I agree with kick3m0n, tho I haven't had any children yet i would hope that my partner can get some time off work for the birth and the first few weeks when I do.

[butter1]

Sorry FINA, I agree with the others.  I think that it is good that he has taken the time off to be with his family.  I know your frustrated that you had to travel 25 mins on a bus, so that's probably why your feeling the way you do.  They should have a replacement doctor at your practise when things like this happen.

[zipadeedodah]

I too agree with kick3m0n and the others.  Why miss out quality time with your new family when its possible not to? Life's too short, should make the most of all opportunities like that.

[woofgang]

FINA is that GP practicing alone or does he have partners? If he's on his own, then that's a problem with any one man band operation, doctor, plumber, anything. When the person is unavailable, the job closes down. GPs are actually private contractors to the NHS. What they complain about is the terms of their contract...if the business ie the practice want to employ more people, they can but it costs them money out of their profit!!

[El D]

He's legally entitled to it. Why does his gender have any bearing?

[Kay]

Thank you all for your input. My practise actually has 5 doctors but as the receptionist said "They're all fully booked due to Dr S being off".Hence myself and other patients (some elderly) having to re direct to the other practise which was absolutely jam packed. Utter chaos!!!!!!!

[Dark Angel]

I agree with the majority. Family comes first and if your GP is entitled to paternity leave there's nothing wrong with choosing to take it. It's a coincidence that just yesterday I looked at an employee at work who had  become a dad over the weekend, and thought to myself, its a pity that men don't take time off to be parents like women do, the baby was just born about 5 days ago, and the dad works a long day.

[secretspirit]

I agree with the others as well. When my baby's born my husband is gettin 2 weeks paternity leave and his boss has reluctantly agreed to a subsequent 2 weeks annual leave. I think we'll all value his time off with the family and I think it's great that men are getting more involved.

Having said that, you would think your GP practice would have got a locum in because I'm sure they had plenty of warning.

[lizzierose]

I know that if I'd been in his situation I'd have been weak and stayed so as not to inconvenience others and regretted and felt bitter for along time afterwards and also felt guilty about feeling bitter for a long time afterwards. Its not his fault if the surgery can't cope with his paternity leave. Anybody is entitled to time off to spend time with their newborn children.