Fao boxy

[Sqad]

Whist having my eggs and bacon this morning i was thinking about our discussion re the NHS yesterday and it brought back memories re. the attitude of medical staff and administrators to the running of the NHS. I have to say that your answers are all well presented and informed and i always value your opinion.

In the 60's and 70's struggling through junior posts with lousy pay and archaic living conditions most doctors "put up " with this because they hoped that one day they would become Consultants and their lot would change.

My interviews for my first Consultant post were at Harrogate at the Regional board offices and this was a palatial building, but what impressed me was the dining room.
Buffet lunch with cuts of ham, pork,beef, cold salmon and a whole spread of vegetables served by three women in white chef's hats and this was the NORMAL set up for the administrators at regional level for lunch.

I was appointed and subsequently sat on many committees for which i was ill prepared and "easy meat" for the union backed public sector employees on the committees.
I hated that part of my function, but soon realized that the public sector workers in the NHS were not going to give up that existence easily.....who could blame them?

[boxtops]

Morning, sqad!

You speak of a time gone by.... sadly for some (but well understood by most) catering and refreshments is one area which has taken a big hit in recent years, as being unnecessary perks. The day of the plastic cup is back!

I remember not so long ago the days when some GPs never went to any meetings unless there was a drug rep providing a substantial meal. In my position I have to accept hospitality very cautiously these days in order to remain impartial, and I spent one embarrassing meeting a while ago with GPs who were downing good food and wine all at a rep's expense, just because they could. The ABPI rules have changed drastically, and unless it's formal financial support for an education meeting, you're lucky to get more than a post-it free these days.

I came to the NHS via a convoluted route (including 17 years in a brewery...), so I've been in the NHS on and off only since 1988, starting in the post-graduate centre world, and coming to my current post in 1997. In the current world, I count as an old-timer, one of the few who has managed to hang on, delivering the same service (although in different formats) through all the changes (and long may it continue!) - and as you know, every 3 years, it's all change....!

[starone]

I think this happens in all walks of life. We used to call it playing musical chairs.

[Sqad]

LOL boxy...once again a good and well constructed answer...."days gone by?" I wonder what has replaced the perks........guaranteed pension plans?......I just hated those meetings with Union members and even worse....BMA representatives who were doctors of which I refused to join.

Have you ever been to BMA House in London? the medical boys Trade Unions.

[boxtops]

Cheers sqad - no, never been to the BMA although I lurk around in other places in London, mostly the teaching hospitals and universities.

[starone]

But you got well paid didn't you sqad? What did you do - clench your fists and bite your lip while you thought of the money you were earning to enable you to live your chosen life style?

[Sqad]

starby...i worked bloody hard...seven days a week and was paid exactly the same wage as other Consultants that were not pulling their weight and that never appealed to me at all. In my naivety when i first started i offered to do two extra operating sessions, to bring down the waiting list and the Regional Board said "go ahead, but your pay will be the same" That was not my scene and this is the trouble with the NHS it does not recompense the hard worker and the "shirker" is well provided for.

[starone]

Sorry sqad - crabby and irritable this morning. Should have known better than to try to lock horns with you. Please forgive me - I agree with all you have said.

[Sqad]

LOL LOL...starby...never..never apologise on CB....I loved your answer.

[starone]

Have you got anything to prescribe for crabby and irritable?

[Sqad]

starby...night out with sqad, good food, a few laughs, good wine and I would accompany you to your carriage to take you home.......wadya think of that eh?

[starone]

Feel better already sqad.

[boxtops]

"Have you got anything to prescribe for crabby and irritable?"

Are they new members? ;-)

[starone]

lol boxy. Good, this is all making me feel like going and having something nice for my breakfast. Keep going - see you later. By the time I get back I will have killed crabby and irritable.